An update on the status of southern elephant seals at Gough Island
A slow decline in the small breeding population of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at Gough Island appears to have taken place over a period of 25 years (1973-1998). The estimated number of births has declined from a high of 38 in 1975 to a low of 11 in 1997. The remaining population is v...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
South African Journal of Wildlife Research
2001
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ajol.info/index.php/sajwr/article/view/4149 |
| Summary: | A slow decline in the small breeding population of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at Gough Island appears to have taken place over a period of 25 years (1973-1998). The estimated number of births has declined from a high of 38 in 1975 to a low of 11 in 1997. The remaining population is vulnerable; especially during the breeding season in spring, and human distur-bance should be limited, in particular during the annual relief of the South African meteorological team sta-tioned at the island. South African Journal of Wildlife Research Vol.31(1&2) 2001: 68-71 |
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