Ascension : Ascension : Conservation Weekly - Pinniped Visitor!
Submitted by The Islander (Juanita Brock) 21.01.2008 (Article Archived on 04.02.2008)
Shortly after Christmas, Ascension’s shores were home to an unusual pinniped visitor.
Photo (c) Ascension Conservation - Though this photo doesn't properly show it, this seal has been injured by an as yet unspecified source.
Ascension : Conservation Weekly - Pinniped Visitor!
Submitted by The Islander (Conservation Office) 10.01.2008
Shortly after Christmas, Ascension’s shores were home to an unusual pinniped visitor.
Shortly after Christmas, Ascension’s shores were home to an unusual pinniped visitor. Originally identified as a sea lion because of its long ears and forward facing hind flippers, the animal was later confirmed to be a female South American fur seal by Dr. John A. Musick, Professor Emeritus of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in the US. Generally, seals and sea lions differ in that seals don’t have visible ears and their hind flippers can only face backwards. Sea lions, as mentioned earlier, have visible ears and their hind flippers can be brought forward.
However, some eared fur seals have the same characteristics as sea lions. Our pinniped (marine carnivorous mammal with all four limbs modified into flippers) visitor also had a light chest, tan muzzle and dark flippers with light vibrissae or whiskers in addition to visible ears and forward facing rear flippers.
South American fur seals are normally found along the coast of South America, from Peru to Brazil and on the Falkland Islands. Although they usually do not migrate, these seals can venture as far as 600 km out to sea in search of prey. South American fur seals feed on squid, octopus, anchovies, mackerel and lobster. Females usually feed at night, and can dive to depths of more than 170m for up to 7 minutes. South American fur seals will rest at the surface of the water and often come to shore to groom, bask in the sun and sleep.
Throughout the holiday break, the AIG Conservation Officer was posed with several questions about the seal. Here are some of the most
popular questions and answers:
Q: Why does the seal look so tired?
A: Many seals feed at night and rest during the day. Due to the fact
that visitors were constantly approaching the seal, she had a
difficult time resting during the day. This interruption and
harassment by certain members of the public probably led to a bit of
exhaustion. However, the seal was in healthy condition overall.
Q: Why don’t you feed the seal?
A: The seal was closely observed by the Conservation Officer and
found to be in good condition. It was feeding well on its own and it
did not require any intervention or care from humans. In general, it
is good practice to avoid interfering with wildife.
Q: Why don’t you medivac (e.g. airlift) the seal to the Falklands?
A: As mentioned above, the seal was healthy. A medivac procedure
would have caused the seal further exhaustion and the seal probably
would have died in transit from stress or the extreme change in
temperature and altitude.
Q: Where did the seal come from?
A: Although we don’t know exactly where the seal came from, it is
possible that it came to Ascension from Brazil or somewhere along
the South American coast.
Q: Were those scratches or gashes on the seal’s head and back?
A: No. Those were shorter, lighter, new hairs replacing older hairs
that had fallen out naturally.
Q: What eats seals?
A: Predators of South American fur seals include orcas, sharks,
South American sea lions and leopard seals. Vampire bats can drink
blood from the flippers of sleeping seals in South America.
References: http://seamap.env.duke.edu/species/tsn/180633 & FAO
Guide to Marine Mammals of the World
The seal was last spotted on the north east side of the island on December 3. If the seal comes ashore again, please give the animal plenty of space to rest and do not feed it. If you have any further questions about the animal, please call Susanna at the Conservation Centre on x6359.
© The Islander News Paper (Ascension Island)
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