|
June 2, 1999 Pêches et Océans Canada - Fisheries and Oceans Canada HARBOUR SEALS AT METIS BEACHWith the early spring, seals are starting to haul-out on the rocks along the shore. In the Metis area there are 2 species, the grey seal or horse head which overwinters in the Gulf of St. Lawreence, and the harbour seal. We know little about the harbour seal in the Estuary. In 1994 researchers at the Maurice Lamontagne Institute began studying the harbour seal in this area. This research has shown that harbour seals have high contaminant levels, in some cases similar or higher than the beluga. Our telemetry studies have shown that they spend most of their time near the coast, feed intensively in relatively shallow areas, rarely diving more than 25 metres. They have also shown that the majority overwinter in the Estuary. Our aerial surveys have indentified 2 important haul-out areas along the south shore between Ste-Anne-des-Monts and St-Jean-Port-Joli, located at Bic and in the bay of Mitis Point with populations of over 100 and 60, respectively.Harbour seals have their pups in May-June. The pups follow the mother into the water soon after birth. Current research is aimed at describing the season of births (e.g. starting date, peak birthing period and end of pupping) at Metis and Bic. To do this we capture the pups, weigh them, and glue a tag on their heads. A pilot study in 1998 showed that this causes little disturbance to the mother and the pup. The tags remain on the head of the pup for 1 year, i.e., pups tagged this year will lose their tags in July-August 2000. The mother-pup bond in this species is extremely strong. If pups are separated from thier mothers, they tire and will haul out on a rock or because they are naive, will haul out on the beach. In most cased the female will find the pup and the 2 are re-united. Because the female will search for her pup, it is important to leave the pup where it is. Under no circumstances should the pup be moved or disturbed because of the presence of humans or pets will cause the female to keep her distance. If the pup is moved or disturbed, then the female cannot approach the pup and this will result in its abandonment. The pups are weaned in late June-July. At this time, we start to see more pups on the beach because they do know know what to do and have not yet learned about predators. Seals can spend several hours or even a few days out of the water. Again, the best thing is to leave the animals because disturbance more often than not has a negative effect. For more information on this or other marine mammal studies at the Institute, call (418) 775-0500 and ask for Dr. Mike Hammill or Jean-François Gosselin. In the case of stranded seals or whales that you wish to report, please ask for Dr. Lena Measures or Elaine Albert. Mike Hammill, Research Scientist, Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Mont-Joli, QC |
||
 |
