2016 Elephant Seal Breeding Season Summary

Transcription

1 (Right) One of the ocean facing sites during the peak of pupping. Photo by S. Mutschler. NMFS Permit No Elephant Seal Breeding Season Summary This year, the highest numbers of elephant seals at Point Reyes occurred on February 2, about the same time as previous years. (Right) Males fight for dominance in the waters off of Drakes Beach. Photo by D. Dietrich. NMFS Permit No (Left) The first pup of the season, born on December 19 (taken by researchers through a spotting scope). Photo by S. Mutschler. NMFS Permit No At the peak, there were 1,966 individuals, compared to 1,847 last year and 1,772 in 214. This year, the cow count at the peak of the season reached 1,38, over 1 higher than last year s count of 99. The pup count was 697, lower than last year s count of 762. There was higher pup mortality this year due to the storms and heavy surf.

2 The El Niño this year caused heavy storms during the first few weeks of the season. Storm surges and high tides proved to be a hazard for the seals on the ocean facing colonies, causing them to take refuge on Drakes Beach. The main Drakes Beach colony (which can be viewed from the overlook off the Chimney Rock parking lot), had over 9 animals during the first week of February. The beach beyond the colony also saw unprecedented numbers, resulting in a beach closure to protect both the public and the seals. Drakes Beach colony at high tide, with a storm surge (above) vs. low tide, without a storm surge (left). Photos by S. Mutschler NMFS Permit No

3 Researchers counted 659 weaned pups last week. There were additional weaners not counted as they moved out of the survey areas. Over the course of the season, 362 seals were tagged, surpassing the goal of 3! (Left) A weaned pup relaxes on Drakes Beach. Photo by S. Mutschler. NMFS Permit No (Left) A weaned pup on Drakes Beach. Photo by D.Dietrich. NMFS Permit No (Below) A weaned pup pod on Drakes Beach. Photo by S. Mutschler. NMFS Permit No (Above) A researcher carefully tags a weaned pup. Photo by D. Dietrich. NMFS Permit No (Right) A close up of a flipper tag from Point Reyes. Photo by D. Dietrich. NMFS Permit No Although the elephant seal breeding season is over, the seals will return to Point Reyes to molt over the next year. The timing of their molt is determined by age and sex, with the juveniles and adult females returning in the Spring and adult males returning in the Summer.

4 No. Seals TOTAL SEAL COUNT Seals 215 Seals NMFS Permit No

5 No. Females TOTAL FEMALE COUNT Females 215 Females NMFS Permit No

6 No. Pups TOTAL PUP COUNT Pups 215 Pups NMFS Permit No

7 No. Weaned Pups TOTAL PUPS WEANED Weaned Pups 215 Weaned Pups NMFS Permit No

8 No. Seals DRAKES BEACH COLONY TOTAL SEALS DB Seals 215 DB Seals NMFS Permit No

9 No. Females DRAKES BEACH COLONY FEMALES 5 45 DB Females 215 DB Females NMFS Permit No

10 No. Pups 35 3 DB Pups 215 DB Pups NMFS Permit No

11 No. Weaned Pups DRAKES BEACH COLONY WEANED PUPS Weaned Pups 215 Weaned Pups NMFS Permit No

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