Aussie fur seals loving the weather lately with populations predicted to grow in the Bass Strait

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-04-13 09:01

Australia; VIC; ACT

Holgi on pixabay

Australian fur seals in the Bass Strait are likely to see an increase in the number of pups being born, according to Aussie researchers, who say that the environmental conditions are predicted to be favourable on Kanowna Island which is home to the third-largest colony of Australian fur seals. The team investigated the factors influencing breeding and pup production of Aussie fur seals on the island from 1997 to 2020, and found that warming sea surface temperatures and increased westerly winds during winter may improve foraging conditions and increase the flow of prey into the region, enabling younger adult females to have pups.

Media release

From: The Royal Society

Environmental influences on breeding biology and pup production in Australian fur seals

Royal Society Open Science

Understanding what affects a species’ breeding biology can enable predictions on how a species may respond to global change. Local and large-scale environmental conditions were found to influence the timing of breeding and pup production of Australian fur seals. If current environmental trends continue on their predicted trajectory, the conditions may be beneficial for the future of the Kanowna Island population of Australian fur seals.

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Journal/
conference: Royal Society Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: CSIRO, Deakin University

Funder: Financial support was provided by research grants from the Australian Research Council, Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation, Winnifred Violet Scott Trust and Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment.

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