Deceased seal pups are valuable resources for science
Jan/20/19 06:21 AM
By far, the saddest task for Seal Sitters volunteers is recovering deceased animals. Recently, three young harbor seals were found dead on West Seattle beaches: on January 5 near Don Armeni boat ramp; on January 12 just north of the Harbor West Condominiums on Beach Drive; and on January 14 on the west end of Alki Beach.
Seal Sitters First Responders recognized the markings of the last animal. She was CeCe, first sighted resting on Alki Beach on New Years Eve. Over the next two weeks, CeCe hauled out and slept in the vicinity of the lighthouse. However, on the evening of the 14th, Seal Sitters responders discovered the pup had died on the beach.
SEALS NECROPSIED
The three carcasses were delivered to Dyanna Lambourn, Marine Mammal Biologist with WDFW MMI.Their necropsies will be part of a study focusing on lungworms (Otostrongylus) in harbor seals. This study is a continuation of the research Dyanna has been conducting on the infection-causing bacteria Brucella spp, which has been found in marine mammals and is the subject of four scientific papers co-authored by Dyanna. They suggest that the lungworm itself, rather than the harbor seal, is the preferred host of the Brucella infection.
Dyanna reports that all three animals were weaned female pups, markedly thin or emaciated. All had roundworms and mild to heavy lungworm infection. An unusual finding was that fully one-third of one pup's stomach was black and ulcerated from roundworm infestation.
SEAL SITTERS’ CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH
Seal Sitters is contributing in two ways to the scientific understanding of the life cycle of these parasites and how they affect marine mammals. First, by delivering the carcasses soon after death, Seal Sitters is providing researchers with the fresh tissue essential for meaningful pathology results. Second, Seal Sitters is helping financially by paying for some of the lab work, thanks to generous donations and past fundraising efforts.
Animals slated for necropsy are delivered to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife marine mammal lab in Lakewood.
Seal Sitters First Responders recognized the markings of the last animal. She was CeCe, first sighted resting on Alki Beach on New Years Eve. Over the next two weeks, CeCe hauled out and slept in the vicinity of the lighthouse. However, on the evening of the 14th, Seal Sitters responders discovered the pup had died on the beach.
SEALS NECROPSIED
The three carcasses were delivered to Dyanna Lambourn, Marine Mammal Biologist with WDFW MMI.Their necropsies will be part of a study focusing on lungworms (Otostrongylus) in harbor seals. This study is a continuation of the research Dyanna has been conducting on the infection-causing bacteria Brucella spp, which has been found in marine mammals and is the subject of four scientific papers co-authored by Dyanna. They suggest that the lungworm itself, rather than the harbor seal, is the preferred host of the Brucella infection.
Dyanna reports that all three animals were weaned female pups, markedly thin or emaciated. All had roundworms and mild to heavy lungworm infection. An unusual finding was that fully one-third of one pup's stomach was black and ulcerated from roundworm infestation.
SEAL SITTERS’ CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH
Seal Sitters is contributing in two ways to the scientific understanding of the life cycle of these parasites and how they affect marine mammals. First, by delivering the carcasses soon after death, Seal Sitters is providing researchers with the fresh tissue essential for meaningful pathology results. Second, Seal Sitters is helping financially by paying for some of the lab work, thanks to generous donations and past fundraising efforts.
Animals slated for necropsy are delivered to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife marine mammal lab in Lakewood.
