| Summary: | This project proposes to assess the pathogen loads and general health of harbor seal pups ( Phoca vitulina concolor ) from two sources: those that are incapacitated to the extent of being considered stranded and brought in for rehabilitation by the Northeast Stranding Network, and those that are wild-caught and presumably healthy. Pups from both groups will undergo a battery of diagnostic/screening tests before being released. Satellite tags track location and diving parameters will be applied to individuals from both groups to ascertain post-release behavior including movement, diving, haulout, and survival. Finally, we will look at the correlations between medical findings and the post-release behavior of pups.
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