ACS Monterey Bay Program for August 2002

Harbor Seals: the dispersal and feeding habits of recently weaned pups

Thursday, Aug. 29 7 p.m Refreshments, 7:30 p.m. Program Lecture Hall, Monterey Boatworks, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove (across from the American Tin Cannery Outlet Stores) Speaker: Stori Oates, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Increasing populations, together with accessible pupping sites, provide special opportunities for researchers to study and document movements of this locally abundant and charismatic species.

Radio-tagging of harbor seal pups was undertaken at colonies located at Cypress Point (Pebble Beach), Elkhorn Slough, and at Point Reyes National Seashore. Previous research has concentrated mostly on adults, with few studies carried out on pups. Stori has been following recently weaned pups in their movements away from their natal colonies and their ability to survive on their own. As with many species, the ability to survive the first year without parental care is crucial. Most mortality occurs at this time. Harbor seal pups, in contrast to the eared seals such as the California sea lion, spend a very short period of time with the mother and so have much to learn very quickly after weaning.

An ACS/Monterey Bay research grant has supported Stori's work.

Related web pages:

• Abstract of Stori Oates' Thesis topic: Movements, survivorship, and foraging ecology of Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) juveniles in central California
• Links to additional information and photos of Harbor Seals