An update on the status of southern elephant seals at Gough Island

• Main Authors: MN Bester, H Moller, J Wium, B Enslin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: South African Journal of Wildlife Research 2001
• Subjects: Gough; Elephant Seals; Mirounga leonina; Southern Elephant Seals
• Online Access: http://ajol.info/index.php/sajwr/article/view/4149

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