Receding Glaciers Causing Seals to Wander
Although the captivating species of the harbor seals are fairly stable in many portions of the world and can be viewed in just about every zoo, when it to be able to southeastern Alaska, there is a decline. The harbor seals rest and breed at nearby glacier icebergs; however, since the availability for this ice is changing, it affects the seals behaviors, will be important for their reproduction and survival. There are two different studies that have been conducted, one through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) and also the other through the National Park Service (NPS). Both found the seals may be changing their behavior and distribution in order to acclimate with the changing locations of ice because of the glaciers retreating. Jamie Womble, who is leading the Glacier Bay NPS research, is working closely with her team to figure out the complete movements and distribution from the seals and how it relates to the glacier ice. One particular method being utilized that is working effectively is Aerial tracking. Will involve flying above the ice and counting the closes. Another method for tracking the seals movements is through the utilization of GPS https://trackimo.com/off-roading-basics/ s, usually are glued to the elephant seals. There is little risk to the seals since during the following summers molt season, the GPS tracking technology occur off safely. Although the seals movements and migration have been going extensively away from Glacier Bay, Womble and her team found the seals return rate was fairly high following breeding/pupping season. Womble and her team studied your patterns of seal movements and distances in which they traveled in comparison to its the ice. Ice distribution inside John Hopkins Inlet have also been studied by they. This analysis was then correlated with aerial tracking information so that they team could examine the relationship between the seals and the ice. Seal pupping is decreasing due to the eastern side Glacier Bay rapid getaway. During the time when the pups are newborn and consequently are being weaned over mother seals, the pups rest through the flat icebergs. Tony horton created found, however, right now there were no longer any seals pupping in Muir Inlet by 2008 in addition McBride Inlet, there are only 200 seals counted. The importance of studying how, why and when the seals use the glaciers and whether the retreat of them is having a bad impact on the seals is being emphasized in an ADFG report. Also being documented on the inside report are other glacier retreat instances, seals movements, weight, diet, and how tour vessels replace the seals.