Harbour seal necropsy 2014

On Saturday 13 September, many students observed or got directly involved in the necropsy of the little female harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) that we found in the mudflats last week.

With permission from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we examined the body of the seal inside and out…

Two students, Haruna & Mariam, carefully teased apart the small intestine, stretched it out and measured it to be 12.8 m long.  All that intestine in a seal that was only 0.82 m long!

We did examine many organs but could not determine the cause of death.

 

A very unique opportunity for many Pearson College students! Thanks to all involved including the many photographers.

This is one of my favourite photos from the event… the lens from one of the eyes, which you may be able to see has inverted the image behind it.

Mudflat mayhem

On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this week, second year Marine Science students paddled across Pedder Bay to get to the mudflats. In fact for E block students this was their first class back after the break – a serious re-immersion back into the course!

We did a lot of digging…

And discovered some cool creatures…

including a dead Harbour Seal.

And only one major mudflat mishap.

Two wonderful mornings overall!

 

 

And now it’s snowy AND icy in Pedder Bay

Less than one hour after the spectacular sunrise this morning it began to snow…

At first the snow wasn’t sticking to the land, but to the ice on the surface of Pedder Bay.

Despite the freezing temperatures there were many animals frolicking in the water including a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina):

Common and hooded mergansers and buffleheads:

What a day on Pedder Bay!

Dead harbour seal at Witty’s Beach

Simon and I went to check out a dead harbour seal at Witty’s Beach this afternoon after Julie Bowser told us about it.

The large body was relatively intact – apart from the blood gurgling out of the eye socket while we were there and a small lesion in the skin of the left front flipper, I could see no external damage.

Of course, Simon was more interested in digging in the sand!