Biologging: Using technology to study the elephant seals of Año Nuevo

The northern elephant seal is an iconic species along the california coast.  Once near extinction, the population has recovered and is allowing researchers a unique glimpse into the depths of the north Pacific.  The combination of a consistent research program (Dan Costa's lab at UC Santa Cruz), a unique location (the Año Nuevo UC Natural Reserve), and the efforts of a large team of volunteers and graduate students, we have amassed an incredible dataset.  Recent advances in electronic tag technology allow us to record not only where the seals go and how deep they dive, but also the location of foraging hotspots.  By combining data across a decade from hundreds of animals, interesting patterns begin to emerge.

Speaker: Patrick Robinson, Reserve Director of Ano Nuevo