Cocktail bars and chocolate cake are what most people look forward to on their birthday, but for one woman a surprise wildlife encounter to remember was in the cards.
In a video posted to Instagram, Julie McGuire, 35, meant to document her early morning birthday stroll on the beach on the South Island of New Zealand.
"Last weekend I was at Wharariki beach for my birthday weekend," McGuire, who is from Tasman, New Zealand, told Newsweek. "I decided to kickstart the day with a little walk down to the beach. At about 7 a.m. I found a cozy spot beside the shore, fully intending to just chill and watch the waves roll in. But little did I know that nature had a surprise in store for me."
McGuire filmed the stunning beach, showing the waves lapping against the shore. Suddenly, a tiny New Zealand sea lion pup appeared, playing in the shallows.
"As I was taking in the beautiful scenery, my eyes caught a tiny creature in the water," said McGuire. "And lo and behold, it was a New Zealand [sea lion]. I could tell that this little one's mom wasn't around. I kept a watchful eye, just to be sure.
"While I was watching I could tell he noticed me and was very curious. I stayed sitting down watching but all of a sudden, he raced up and wanted to meet me."
McGuire said that when the baby sea lion approached her, she kept her hand in a fist "just in case he wanted to bite my finger."
"He had a sniff of me and then jumped back into the water immediately showing off his little flip and showing me his belly. He stayed for a bit hanging out, and then he slowly swam away," she said.
McGuire's encounter was particularly remarkable because New Zealand sea lions, called pakake or whakahao in Māori, are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world and are only found in New Zealand. There are only about 12,000 New Zealand sea lions in the world, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC).
These sea lions are classified as "nationally vulnerable" in New Zealand due to their low population and are threatened mainly by diseases, fisheries interactions, pup mortality, food availability, and human impacts, according to the DOC.
"I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and caution," said McGuire of the encounter with the sea lion. "I kept my hand in a fist, ready to protect my fingers just in case. I know it's important to keep in mind wild animals can be unpredictable, and while this little [sea lion] seemed friendly, I also need to respect its space."
"The whole experience was pure magic," said McGuire. "The [sea lion's] curiosity got the best of it, and it made a beeline towards me. This encounter with the [sea lion] reaffirmed my love for nature.
"There's something truly amazing about being in a natural setting, watching wildlife in their element, and feeling a part of this incredible world we share. It's a reminder of how important it is to protect and preserve these habitats and the animals that call them home."
Users on Instagram were in awe of the encounter, with one user commenting, "What a moment.
"I really appreciate that you respected its wildness and didn't try to pet or touch it," said another.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Correction 10/06/23, 9:55 a.m. ET: This article was updated to reflect that McGuire encountered a New Zealand sea lion, not a seal.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Leonie Helm is a Newsweek Life Reporter and is based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on all things ... Read more
