RNZ Checkpoint, RNZ Digital reporters

An Otago colony of sea lions has reached a major milestone after a successful breeding season which saw the birth of 38 pups.

For the first time in more than a century, the Otago Pakake/sea lion population has delivered more than 35 pups, putting it on track for official breeding colony status.

To be considered, at least 35 pups must be born for five seasons in a row, the Department of Conservation (Doc) says.

Pakake are the rarest sea lions in the world and until the early 1990s were effectively extinct on the mainland.

Shaun McConkey, the chairperson of the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust, told RNZ's Checkpoint programme today the breeding season had been "amazing".…