A pregnant New Zealand sea lion with a sad back story is re-visiting Dunedin after her last visit ended with both of her pups dying.
The sea lion, known as Joy, is expecting her fourth pup in a few weeks and this time officials are making an extra effort to protect her.
"There are a lot of hazards that they can come in contact with like roads and railways and that type of thing, so we do like to hear where they are," Department of Conservation's Jim Fyfe said.
One of Joy's pups which died last season was found dead in Otago Harbour with a deep cut and a bullet wound.
An arrest was made over the incident, and the case is still before the courts.
This time it's hoped Joy's new-born will survive to add to the 150 strong population around the Otago coast.
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