Comparison of Health and Behavior Parameters in Rehabilitated Stranded and Wild Harbor Seal Pups

U. S. EPA Federal Demonstration Project Grant: $243,800
Sept. 1, 2003 - Aug. 31, 2006

Principal Investigator

Dr. Kathryn Ono, Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of New England

Co-Investigator
Dr. Gerard Beekman, Aquatic Animal Veterinarian
Marine Science Education and Research Center
University of New England

Description

This research project is assessing the pathogen loads and general health of harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina concolor) from two sources: those that are incapacitated to the extent of being considered stranded and brought in for rehabilitation by the Northeast Stranding Network, and those that are wild-caught and presumably healthy.

Pups from both groups are undergoing a battery of diagnostic/screening tests before being released.Satellite tags track location and diving parameters will be applied to individuals from both groups to ascertain post-release behavior including movement, diving, haulout, and survival. Finally, we will be looking at the correlations between medical findings and the post-release behavior of pups.

Approach

Standard diagnostic procedures utilized in the study include: antibiotic sensitivities, fecal analysis, thyroid profiles, cortisol levels, viral serology, complete blood counts, and serum chemistries. Each pup will be tested upon entry into the rehabilitation facility and upon release. Bacterial flora and their sensitivities will be compared between wild pups and stranded pups to ascertain significant differences that might explain stranding. Comparison of intake vs. release parameters for stranded pups will help evaluate rehabilitation activities and possible environmental exposure to resistant organisms.

Some diagnostic tests are being given periodically throughout the period of rehabilitation. Post-weaning wild pups will be tested once since they are released within hours of being caught. Satellite tags will ascertain behavioral differences between individuals with different early experiences, pathogen and health parameters, especially those related to toxins.

Expected Results

Marine mammals are important sentinels of ocean health in that they feed high in the trophic hierarchy and bioaccumulate toxins in their extensive blubber layer.Blubber is utilized by females to produce milk for neonates. Therefore, young pups are good indicators of toxins and pathogens in the environment.

Marine mammals are also affected by the pathogens and antibiotics found in effluent from anthropogenic activities. Knowledge of the pathogens affecting the Northeast harbor seal population will benefit government regulatory agencies as well as mammal rehabilitation centers.

We expect to find that survival, diving ability, movement patterns and haulout frequency will be affected by a combination of pathogen load, experience, and body condition.Animals with the lowest pathogen load, most experience in the natural world, and highest mass should have the best outcomes.    
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