Endangered New Zealand sea lions are often found in the rata forests of their home nation’s Auckland Islands. Thanks to myriad threats—climate stress, disease, and fishing hazards—their population is significantly down from historical levels. Your Shot member Jacob Anderson came across this animal near Ranui Cove on the northeast coast of Auckland Island. True to the species’ reputation of being bold around humans, the sea lion was unbothered while lounging on a rich bed of green moss.

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