These pups—often seen alone onshore—are not abandoned. Seal Pupping Season Begins! NOAA’s Alaska Region has already received reports that harbor seal pups have arrived! Pupping season is typically between May and July, but each year a few pups arrive earlier. During the pupping and nursing season, mother harbor seals will leave their pups on shore […]
Youngsters can take to the water as early as 2 days old Open water swimming is not for the fainthearted, especially when air and water temperatures are frigid. So how do furry Weddell seal pups born on the Antarctic sea ice keep on swimming? Although their blanket of fluffy insulation works fine when dry, as […]
One year ago, in a world with the same mountains and valleys but feeling very different, we made a discovery. My wife, daughter, two neighbor kids, three dogs and I were out enjoying the freedom of crust skiing, when cold overnight temperatures freeze a melting snow pack. A hard top-layer forms allows skiing anywhere, […]
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]cientists are developing advanced imaging technology that will enable drones to collect information essential for managing Alaska’s depleted population. This innovation will dramatically reduce the expense and risk of monitoring fur seals, and virtually eliminate disturbance to this sensitive population. “We were lucky to have partners who were experts in unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and imaging […]