Grantee Research Project Results
2005 Progress Report: Comparison of Health and Behavior Parameters in Rehabilitated Stranded and Wild Harbor Seal Pups (Phoca vitulina concolor)
EPA Grant Number: R831068Title: Comparison of Health and Behavior Parameters in Rehabilitated Stranded and Wild Harbor Seal Pups (Phoca vitulina concolor)
Investigators: Ono, Kathryn , Beekman, Gerard
Institution: University of New England - University Campus
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2005 (Extended to August 31, 2006)
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2004 through August 31, 2005
Project Amount: $243,800
RFA: Targeted Research Grant (2002) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Targeted Research
Objective:
The objectives of this research project are to: (1) compare the microbiota of animals entering and leaving the rehabilitation center with wild conspecifics to determine the differences in prevalence of bacterial and viral infections, antibiotic resistance, and emerging pathogens and parasites, including those considered to be environmental contaminants from anthropogenic sources; (2) compare the results of standardized diagnostic and screening tests of animals from two groups—those that strand and wild-caught animals that are presumably healthy and have a lower prevalence of disease; (3) compare the survival of rehabilitated pups to their wild conspecifics; and (4) assess, using satellite telemetry, the diving behavior, haul-out frequency, and large-scale movements of wild harbor seal pups compared to rehabilitated pups.
Progress Summary:
Three wild harbor seal pups were captured by hand and hoop net in Blue Hill Bay, Maine, in June 2005. Pups were approximately 1 month of age and fully weaned. Blood samples and morphometric measurements were taken on all of them, and satellite tags (Wildlife Computers SPLASH) were attached to all three. Seven rehabilitated pups from the University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center were released with SPLASH tags between July-September 2005. Movements and dive parameters of the pups were monitored for a 4-month period.
Analysis of the movement patterns of pups from the 2004 project season determined that the pups stayed within 75 m of the shore and in water less than 200 m deep. Pups tended to stay in warm, shallow water. They also preferred silty, claylike benthic substrates over those with gravelly sand.
The majority of dives performed by the 2004 pups were 10-20 m in depth and 1-2 minutes in length. There were no significant changes in dive depth, dive duration, or proportion of time hauled out over a 60-day tracking period. Pups had a longer dive time at deeper depths measured to 20 m.
Future Activities:
We will analyze biomedical data and compare data obtained from rehabilitation animals with their wild control. In addition, data from rehabilitated animals will be compared at capture and at release to determine changes that have occurred during the rehabilitation process. Results of these analyses will be compiled and submitted for publication in referred journals.
Satellite tag data from both years (2004 and 2005) will be analyzed for differences in location, habitat use, and diving parameters between wild and rehabilitated pups. Results will be submitted for publication.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 2 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
mammalian, viruses, bacteria, marine science, biology, ecology, zoology, remote sensing, pinniped, phocid, veterinary, animal, pathogens, pathology, northeast, Atlantic coast,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, ECOSYSTEMS, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Oceanography, Biochemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Monitoring, Ecological Indicators, aquatic ecosystem, marine ecosystem, pathogens, Federal Demonstration Project, FDP, ecosystem assessment, animal responses, pathogen recognition, aquatic habitat, pathobiological, ecological assessment, ecological impacts, assessment methods, conservation biologyRelevant Websites:
http://www.une.edu/cas/msc/ono.asp Exit
http://www.une.edu/cas/msc/research.asp Exit
http://www.une.edu/cas/msc/rehab.asp Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.