Harbor Seal Recovery Application of New Technologies for Monitoring Health. EXXON VALDEZ Oil Spill Restoration Project Final Report. (Restoration Project 03558)

摘要

Harbor seals were one of the resources that were injured by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS). To date this species is listed as 'not recovering'. Several studies have focused on the general health and metabolism of these seals as it relates to their diet, body condition and habitat. This study complimented these investigations as it utilized new techniques to enhance our understanding of the health and physiology of the species. The techniques were combined to develop an indicator of a given animal's health, then these techniques incorporated into the routine assessment and monitoring of harbor seals in the Gulf of Alaska, both free-ranging seals as well as those admitted to rehabilitation. This project investigated the potential for new technologies to assess and monitor the endocrine and immune systems as diagnostic measures of the health of harbor seals.