Health status of the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli)

Project aim

Baseline data on the health and reproductive success of wildlife in the Antarctic is essential to enable scientists to identify risks and stresses to populations and to modify management plans if necessary. This study aims to collect baseline health data on the population of Weddell seals of the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica ( already the subject of a long term feeding and population ecology study ), screen for exotic diseases and develop a long term monitoring system that can be incorporated into ongoing research. In addition this information can be used to interpret the performance of animals participating in other research projects.