This is a sea lion pup. It's a kind of seal that is native to Australia and Seal Bay, on the south coast of Kangaroo Island is the ONLY place in the whole of Australia that the public can observe them up close.
Without knowing much, we got up early and headed out to do a loop around the island on our one and only full day here.
But that was a blessing because we visited the beach nearby (which was gorgeous!) and ran into a man who has done over 100 visits to Seal Bay! He gave us all the info we needed.
We lined up. Got in just before 9 am. Got on the first tour at 9:15. And before we knew it, we were down on the sand, surrounded by snoozing sea lions (who are used to human visitors).
We were told we needed to follow the rangers instructions regarding what to do (and not do) when. But that there was every chance that a sea lion pup might approach us with curiousity.
And one did!
It was, seriously, like a playful puppy 馃槃
We weren't allowed to engage. We had to stay completely still to teach the pup that we humans are boring, and not a thing to play with.
Because otherwise that pup would turn into a 200-300 kg adult that would chase the ranger (in the name of "playing") and bite them!
It was hard to be still, to be honest. It was so freakin' cute. And its body language said, "Play with me! Please play with me! I think you'd be fun!".
But we had to be still and silent.
We could, however, take photos. And that, I did.
And so you too, wherevet you are, get to see a sea lion pup that was literally standing right next to us, only a handful of hours ago. Right here, on Kangaroo Island.
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