Report From 2024 Field Team Leader Parker Levinson:

Welcome to the beginning of the 2024 field season! We've started the journey from the United States to Antarctica and are awaiting our flight from Christchurch, New Zealand to McMurdo Station. Yesterday, we received our Extreme Cold Weather gear – things like an expedition-level parka and very warm boots – that will provide much-needed warmth throughout the field season. We then headed to the Antarctic Center where we learned all about the various research stations across the continent (There are over 70 different research stations from lots of different countries!) and experienced our first polar storm in a storm simulation where wind picked up to 30mph and temperatures dropped to -10F. We successfully stayed warm in the brief storm simulation, although afterwards, we questioned our choice to voluntarily experience subzero temperatures when we're about to spend the next few months working outside in very cold conditions.

Now, let's meet the team for this upcoming season! 

Hi, I'm Abram. I am from Boise, Idaho and it is my second season working on the seal project. I have an undergraduate degree in Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management from Montana State. Additionally, I have worked a variety of seasonal jobs ranging from alpine plant monitoring to amphibian capture to owl monitoring. This year I am most looking forward to full population surveys, getting to see so many seals in one day is really my favorite. I think the project will be tagging 736 pups this season. If I could have any animal adaptation I would want feathers to have my own efficient insulation source on my body, my feathers would also look really really cool.

Howdy! I’m Allie from Highlands Ranch, CO. After going to school in Utah, I have spent my career studying alpine wildlife across the mountain west. I’ve worked on everything from bighorn sheep to sierra yellow-legged frogs. While I love working above 12,000 ft, I decided to switch things up this year and go down to sea level! I’m very excited to learn more about marine ecology. My guess is that we will tag 513 seal pups. If I could possess any wildlife adaptation, I would love to climb mountains like a mountain goat.

Hi! My name is Elisabeth. I’m originally from Portland, Oregon, and this will be my first season in Antarctica. I’ve worked in the wildlife field for the last several years and recently completed my master’s degree. Most of my work has been on ungulate species like elk and mule deer in the state of Montana. I am just excited to experience a unique environment unlike any I’ve worked in previously. I’m guessing we will tag 689 pups this year! If I could possess any animal adaptation, it would be to run like a pronghorn. 

Hi, I'm Parker! I'm from Monterey, California, and I'm a PhD student on the seal project and this year's crew lead. My research works to understand changes in population structure and growth as well as how environmental conditions impact the seal population. Before working as a technician for the seal project, I took part in a variety of long-term research projects in pretty remote settings around the world. I'm really looking forward to the endless supply of delicious, toffee-chocolate cookies in the cafeteria. I think we will tag 729 pups this year. If I could have one animal adaptation, I would want to have gills so I could swim underwater. 

Hello! My name is Sophia. I’m from Bozeman, Montana, and it is my first year of deployment to Antarctica. My degree is in psychology and human development, but I grew up helping out with various wildlife projects and was also involved heavily with working around horses. I have a range of skills from caretaking positions for both people and animals, and research analysis. I’m most excited to be out in the field around the seals. I predict that we will tag around 600 pups this year. If I could possess an animal adaptation, it would be the ability to fly like a falcon.

We each guessed how many pups we think we're going to tag this year. Do you have a guess? 

– Parker Levinson, MSU PhD Student and 2024 Field Team Leader