Harbor seals are the most widely distributed type of pinniped, residing along the shorelines of the Northern hemisphere. Seal pups may find themselves stranded on these coastlines, due to being lost from their mother, or not having enough to eat, and lack the necessary survival skills to go back into the wild successfully. Researchers like Dr. Karli Chudeau have been exploring ways in which we can assist these animals in re-learning foraging techniques to ensure they can thrive in the ocean. While in rescue centers, the animals can be exposed to a variety of enrichment to stimulate behaviors like diving and investigating, to improve the performance of naturalistic behaviors.

Photo by Karli Chudeau, caption by Isabelle McDonald

Reference:

Chudeau, K. R., Johnson, S. P., & Caine, N. G. (2019). Enrichment reduces stereotypical behaviors and improves foraging development in rehabilitating Eastern Pacific Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina richardii). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 219, 104830.