Multi-year harbor seal research
Three times each summer the SeaDoc Society and Cascadia Research visit Smith Island to survey the harbor seal population. Smith Island is part of the
San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is closed to the public. The visit consists of a count of live animals followed by a count of all carcasses. Scientists also try to count placentas to track birth numbers.
According to Sara Heidelberger, the third year veterinary student who necropsied this animal, this female seal was in good condition with a thick layer of blubber. Her teeth were deeply and evenly worn, suggesting she was relatively old. She had recently given birth. The team collected the skull for further study. Photos taken July 23, 2010.
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