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This morning, four rehabilitated harbour seal pups were released to the waters off Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
Before their release, the animals were fitted with satellite-linked transmitters temporarily attached to their heads with animal-safe glue. Each tag will stay attached to the pelage — the seal’s coat — until it moults after six to nine months.
“The satellite tags provide some terrific data for us,” said Dr. Martin Haulena. “The information about where they go enables us to learn more about their habitat, foraging and other behaviours. It also indicates how well the animals do after their release, and how well we’ve prepared them for life in their natural habitat.” This year, all four pups with transmitters were rescued with their lanugo fur, sometimes considered a sign of prematurity. Determined to be more critical at the time of their rescue, the pups’ progress in the wild will be closely monitored.
The four – Ziggy, Sinbad, Siberia and Bubbles – are three to four months old and are part of the aquarium’s marine mammal rescue program.
The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre is currently housing 68 other harbour seals.
Information about the animal’s location is sent by satellite signal and displayed online, which will also be accessible to the public at vanaqua.org/tracking.
Our #MMRC is releasing 4 rescued & rehabilitated seal patients fitted with satellite tags this morning in Porteau Cove. pic.twitter.com/cDeVsvJR2j
— Vancouver Aquarium (@vanaqua) October 21, 2016
Agencies/Canadajournal
