A female sea lion and her pup on the Auckland Islands. New research on the whiskers of sea lions confirms that the endangered species is at risk from changing environmental conditions, including climate change. The research also points out yet again that the fishing industry remains a significant threat to NZ sea lions. The results showed that these female sea lions fall into two groups. READ MORE:* Fishing company pulls boat after four endangered sea lion deaths* Sea lion numbers roaring back to health at NZ's first new breeding site in 150 years* Critically-endangered sea lion drowns in squid net south of New Zealand* Sea lion pups make a comeback* Otago key to saving sea lion numbers* New Zealand's sea lion now endangered"This research confirms that female NZ sea lions at the Auckland Islands are showing long-term individual fidelity to diet, foraging location and strategy," wrote Chilvers in the journal Endangered Species Research earlier this month.

Source: Stuff February 24, 2019 16:01 UTC