Recovery of Harbor Seals from EVOS: Condition and Health Status. EXXON VALDEZ Oil211 Spill Restoration Project 97001. Final Report

摘要

The objectives of this project were to establish criteria to evaluate health and211u001ebody condition of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) within Prince William Sound and 211u001ethe Gulf of Alaska in reference to potential problems induced by the Exxon Valdez 211u001eOil Spill. The authors constructed plasma chemistry and hematology reference 211u001eranges from 296 seals collected during 1991-1996. Significant handling, 211u001eindividual and seasonal effects were found. Small differences in blood variables 211u001ecould be detected with high statistical power. While some seals sampled showed 211u001emore clinically aberrant values than expected by chance, the majority appeared 211u001ehealthy. Blubber from Prince William Sound seals was less hydrated than blubber 211u001efrom seals sampled from non-declining areas. Blubber samples from 1977 were 211u001eslightly less hydrated and slightly more energy-rich than matched contemporary 211u001esamples.