In addition to tagging all of the new pups born in the Erebus Bay Weddell seal study area, and weighing a select number of moms and pups, the Weddell seal field research team conducts between 6 to 8 surveys of the entire study area every pupping season to take a census of all the Weddell seals in the area.

During these survey days, the individual tag numbers of all Weddell seals seen on the sea ice are recorded by the team.  Conducting these surveys between 6 to 8 times throughout the study area over the course of the pupping season ensures that nearly all female Weddell seals that use the study area are detected at least once during these annual surveys. 

In the image below, field researchers Jesse DeVoe and Thierry Chambert prepare to tag two pups that appear to have been born to the same mom.  While it is unusual for Weddell seals to have multiple births (more than one pup per season), it can occur.  However, it is rare for both of the pups to survive.

– Mary Lynn Price