A sea lion pup found dead on a Catlins coastal road has injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. The Department of Conservation said the five-month-old male sea lion/pakake was found on the side of Hinahina Rd near the Catlins Boating Club. “There were only nine pups born in the Catlins area this season, so losing one will still have an impact on the population here overall,” DOC Murihiku Operations Manager John McCarroll. The fatality follows the "senseless" shooting deaths of a beloved mother sea lion and her pup in the Catlins in 2024. Mr McCarroll said the death was a sad reminder of why drivers in the area should always be vigilant - especially at night.  “Otago and Southland are becoming a hot spot for pakake, with numbers growing each year. This means we should expect to see more pakake in coastal areas - and when roads intersect with their natural habitat, we need to always be on the lookout.…