---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:25:06 -0800 (PST)
From: Pieter Folkens <onporpoise@sbcglobal.net>
To: "Kebbell, Jerome L, Civilian" <Jerome.L.Kebbell.CIV@msc.navy.mil>,
"'pita@whale.wheelock.edu'" <pita@whale.wheelock.edu>
Subject: Seal Kitty
> How much further north do you think Kitty will go
and where
> will she make home or will she make home or just
travel about the
> ocean.
> Evidently given the name she will live in or near
a harbor???
Satellite tracking of marine mammals uses relatively
new technology. The information gathered is literally
re-writing the book. Each new tag reveals information
unknown, and often unexpected.
Harbour seals are a coastal species, and, as
pinnipeds, haul out regularly. As the name suggests,
harbour seals commonly inhabit bays/harbours, but can
also haul out on open coastal beaches. Some stay
relatively close to their favourite haul outs, while
others may roam.
Harbour seals are a temperate species. It is winter
now in the Northern Hemisphere, so I would not expect
a harbour seal to go as far north as the shore-fast
ice.
As for Kitty, I don't know. I suspect no one really
knows. I suggest you continue watching Kittly's
progress. If the tag stays on, she will reveal where
she wants to stop and how far north is far enough.
I'm sorry I cannot be more specific, but you are
watching science discovery in action as it happens.
That's special. Sure, the scientists who tagged this
seal want to understand the behavior of Atlantic
harbour seals, but the information is shared on the
web precisely for people like you.
Cheeers,
Pieter Folkens
Alaska Whale Foundation
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Mon Jan 24 2005 - 06:34:21 EST