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Wildlife Biology

All articles tagged with #wildlife biology

science3 months ago•59 min saved

Cannibalistic male seals blamed for corkscrew pup injuries at Sable Island

Researchers determined that corkscrew-shaped injuries found on gray seal pups at Sable Island, Nova Scotia, are caused by cannibalistic adult male gray seals rather than sharks or propellers. The 2024–2025 breeding seasons saw hundreds of pups with these markings (765 in 2024; 359 in a single day in 2025), with a first-hand attack observed in 2024. While cannibalism appears to be a natural behavior among males and is not expected to drastically reduce the ~75,000 pup production at the colony, it may have implications for other nearby seal populations such as harbor seals. The study, published in Marine Mammal Science (2026), notes that the exact cause of this behavior remains unknown.

via Live Science|

#cannibalism #gray-seals #marine-mammals

climate2 years ago•2 min saved

"Polar Bear Survival: Insights from Collar Camera Footage"

Scientists have used collars with cameras to track 20 polar bears in Manitoba and found that the bears' foraging for alternative food on land during ice-free months did not provide enough calories to maintain their body mass, as they spent more energy finding the food than they gained from it. With the ice-free period in western Hudson Bay now three weeks longer than in the 1970s, and polar bears spending about 130 days on land each year, the study highlights the challenges these animals face in a warming world, with potential implications for their survival.

via The New York Times|

#climate #climate-change #polar-bears