Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sea-lion has a go at rowing boat

Updated at 7:46 pm on 14 October 2010

A crew member on a rowing boat attacked by an aggressive sea-lion in Otago says the mammal appeared to head-butt their boat.

Eight people were on the boat, which was damaged and took on water.

Matt Smail says he regularly sees sea-lions while rowing and the attack came as a surprise.

He says he heard a tap, followed by a crunch, and then water gushed into the boat.

To avoid sinking, Mr Smail says, the crew had to row quickly to the nearest boat ramp, a kilometre away - followed all the way by the sea-lion.

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