UCSD Harbor Seal Group

Jim Moore jjmoore@ucsd.edu Assoc. Prof., Anthropology; 1° savanna chimpanzees in Tanzania
Traci Linder tracilinder@gmail.com Biology grad student (CPB seal population)
Abby Cannon ESYS Senior Project (CPB – Coronados)
Michelle Jones (ecology); Laura Marx (association patterns); Mellissa Galinato

We are studying the seals that use the Children’s Pool Beach (CPB) haulout, using a computerized photoidentification system to identify individuals. This information can then be used to estimate population size, study growth and survivorship, look at the role of CPB in regional harbor seal demography, study social relationships, etc. Also, Abby Cannon is trying to match seals photographed on the Coronados with CPB seals, and welcomes any photos from there (or other non-CPB locations).

Image donations are very welcome. Please realize that without funding and given the ebb and flow of student participation, it is possible that some (or even many) donated images won’t actually be used. We welcome donations but don’t want you to go to too much trouble. For now (spring 2009) we hope to increase the time depth on individual seals from 2006 through 2009, especially 2006 and 2007. This focus on recent years is to provide the best estimate of the current population; long term, we’d like to have images from “the beginning” in the mid-90s to really get a handle on the population. NOTE: photos of pups (first few months), especially with mothers, are welcome from any year.

Photos should be of good quality, minimal sun glare, minimal sand on the seal, and close to perpendicular aspect. Beige and patchy/molting seals can’t be ID’d with this system, so we can’t use photos of them.  Photos should be accompanied by date and location (if not CPB), and photographer.

We can accept photos in any format, and are happy to come to you if that’s most convenient. Or, you can drop them at http://ucsdseals.shutterfly.com, or send them to Moore: jjmoore@ucsd.edu or Linder: talinder@ucsd.edu via http://www.yousendit.com

For the current ID study, we are using only left flank and ventral photos. BUT, if you have multiple angles on known individuals, we would very much appreciate those for the longterm project and Laura’s association study. 1

Left Flank: Body straight Left side of head visible Tip of nose to at least base of tail visible Example at right is at high end for acceptable glare.
Abdomen/Chest: At least one (ideally, both) clearly exposed Tip of nose to pelvis visible Example at right is about as oblique as is acceptable. Group shots are great as long as at least one individual meets these criteria

In terms of image size, as long as the target seal’s image is not conspicuously grainy when displayed at 4+ inches on a computer screen, it should be fine. Cell phone images won’t do, but OK photos taken with point&shoot - 3+ megapixel cameras are fine.

1 We’d like to build this into a catalog of seals in the region & eventually use other views (right flank, back, etc.).  If you’d like to contribute to that long-term goal and don’t mind that for now they’d just be filed, donations welcome!

Please contact Jim or Traci for more information.