FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 10, 2008
UBC Marine Mammal Research Unit & Vancouver Aquarium announce continued collaboration with new research project
Northern Fur Seal population decline to be explored
Vancouver, BC – The University of British Columbia Marine Mammal Research Unit (UBC MMRU), in collaboration with the Vancouver Aquarium, announce the
Northern Fur Seal Research Program.
UBC’s MMRU and the Vancouver Aquarium have worked together since 1993 to understand the population decline of Steller sea lions. This partnership and research program has created a world centre of excellence for laboratory-based studies of marine mammals. The success of the sea lion research program has led to the creation of the Northern Fur Seal Research Program which seeks to determine why fur seal populations are declining in the North Pacific.
Six female fur seal pups have joined the Steller sea lions at the Vancouver Aquarium for this important research program. Researchers transferred the animals on a flight by Pen Air from the Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea to Vancouver, British Columbia.
The pups will participate in long-term physiological studies critical to understanding their decline in the wild. Since the mid-1950’s, they have declined by over 75% and continue at approximately 6% per year, but the reason(s) for this are unknown.
“We know their numbers are getting smaller, but we don’t have the data to determine why. Is their decline related to nutrition or is it associated with changes in the north Pacific as the oceans have become warmer?” asks Dr. Andrew W. Trites, Director of UBC’s marine Mammal Research Unit. “We believe the six fur seal pups may hold the key to unlocking this ecological mystery. The pups are vital to the conservation of fur seals and will participate in studies that can only be accomplished with trained animals in a controlled setting.”
Most northern fur seals migrate and feed through Canadian waters. The six female pups at the Vancouver Aquarium receive the highest-standards of veterinary care, husbandry and support.
“All six pups have acclimated very well to their new surroundings,” notes Vancouver Aquarium Staff Veterinarian, Marty Haulena. “They are active, grooming and interacting well with our researchers and marine mammal husbandry staff. Everyone is excited for this unique opportunity to work so closely with such a rare and beautiful species.”
The Vancouver Aquarium’s commitment to conservation-based research and education initiatives will offer school children in the Pribilof Islands the opportunity to work closely with researchers to study science and follow the progress of the pups.
HD video footage of the Northern Fur Seals is now online for viewing on the Vancouver Aquarium’s YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/vancouveraquarium
About the University of British Columbia Marine Mammal Research Unit:
The unit’s goals are to address questions relevant to interactions between humans and marine mammals; marine mammals as indicators of ecosystem change; the natural history, biology and conservation of marine mammals. Please visit http://www.marinemammal.org/MMRU to learn more about the UBC MMRU.
About the Vancouver Aquarium:
The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation practices, education, research, and direct action. Please visit www.vanaqua.org to learn more about the Vancouver Aquarium.
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