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The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between shooting angle to the head and animal welfare outcomes in the hunt of young harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus). The study population consisted of young harp seals belonging to the Greenland Sea harp seal population. A sample of 171, 2–7 weeks old, weaned harp seals of both sexes were included. The study was conducted as an open, randomised parallel group designed trial during the regular hunt. The animals were allocated into four groups, A–D, according to the observed shooting angle to the head, defined as the angle between the direction of the shot and the longitudinal axis of the animal’s head: (A) directly from the front; (B) obliquely from the front; (C) directly from the side; and (D) obliquely or directly from behind. Instantaneous death rate (IDR) and time to death (TTD) were the main variables. The mean IDR differed significantly between groups and was highest in group B (96.8%) and lowest in group C (66.7%). For all groups combined it was 84.2%. The mean TTD for seals not rendered instantaneously unconscious or dead (n = 27) differed significantly between groups and was shortest in group A (16 s) and longest in group C (85 s). However, the number of animals included in the TTD analysis was limited. In conclusion, based on the significantly higher IDR, the shooting angle obliquely from the front is recommended to help achieve the best animal welfare outcomes during the hunt of young harp seals.

In a recent review of the status of the Northwest Atlantic harp seal population, model fit to aerial survey estimates of pup production and annual reproductive rates was poor compared to previous assessments indicating underlying problems relating to model assumptions and/or structure. In this study, a new hierarchical Bayesian state-space model was fitted to the same data on pup production, annual fecundity, human removals, and environmental conditions used in the previous assessment to produce annual estimates of pup production and total abundance from 1952-2019. Data on age structure based upon random samples were also included, and the process model incorporated environmental stochasticity and several other improvements. The new model estimates were similar to the previous model through 1990 but then diverged, indicating that the population peaked in 1997 at 6.6 million animals, almost a decade earlier than modelled in previous assessments. After a period of decline due to high catches and poor ice conditions, the new model provides an abundance estimate of 4.7 (95% Credibility Interval (CI) 3.7-5.7) million in 2019, compared to an estimate of 7.6 (95% CI 6.6-8.8) million in the last assessment. The lower estimates of recent abundance reflect higher and more variable juvenile mortality after 2000 due to a combination of density-dependent and density independent factors operating on juvenile survival. The new model also suggests a decline in equilibrium abundance (K) levels from 7.6 (95% CI=7.4 to 7.8) million Northwest Atlantic harp seals prior to 2000 to 6.8 (95% CI=6.7 to 6.9) million animals post-2000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past several decades, the Gulf of Maine has experienced significant socio‐ecological change. Coastlines have become more densely populated and developed, rapid and dramatic climate change has affected coastal ocean environments, and seal populations have grown as a result of federal protections. Long‐term data sets from marine mammal stranding networks represent a valuable resource for investigating indicator species for coastal ocean health during this period of change. Using data collected from stranded harbor (Phoca vitulina), harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and gray (Halichoerus grypus) seals from 2002 to 2017 in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, we tested for spatiotemporal correlations between stranding density and human population density, size of and proximity to seal haul‐outs, sea surface temperature, North Atlantic Oscillation, snowfall, and sea ice extent. We found that in the Gulf of Maine proximity to coastal human population centers and large seal haul‐outs are the greatest drivers of reported seal stranding density. Environmental factors played an important role only for harp seals, which do not breed in the study area, although recent shifts in the environmental seascape have the potential to affect all seal species in the Gulf of Maine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple environmental forcings, such as warming and changes in ocean circulation and nutrient supply, are affecting the base of Arctic marine ecosystems, with cascading effects on the entire food web through bottom‐up control. Stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) can be used to detect and unravel the impact of these forcings on this unique ecosystem, if the many processes that affect the δ15N values are constrained. Combining unique 60‐year records from compound specific δ15N biomarkers on harp seal teeth alongside state‐of‐the‐art ocean modelling, we observed a significant decline in the δ15N values at the base of the Barents Sea food web from 1951 to 2012. This strong and persistent decadal trend emerges due to the combination of anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Atlantic, increased northward transport of Atlantic water through Arctic gateways and local feedbacks from increasing Arctic primary production. Our results suggest that the Arctic ecosystem has been responding to anthropogenically induced local and remote drivers, linked to changing ocean biology, chemistry and physics, for at least 60 years. Accounting for these trends in δ15N values at the base of the food web is essential to accurately detect ecosystem restructuring in this rapidly changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seal meat is of high nutritive value but is not highly exploited for human food due to ethical issues, undesirable flavors, and loss of nutrients during the processing/cooking step. In this work, commercially available processed seal meat was treated with its hydrolysates as preservatives with the aim of improving nutrient bioavailability. The contents of the nutrients were analyzed after digestion using a simulated dynamic digestion model, and the effects of different processing conditions, i.e., low-temperature processing and storage (25 °C) and high-temperature cooking (100 °C), of seal meat were investigated. Hydrolysates with antioxidant activity decreased the amounts of the less desirable Fe3+ ions in the seal meat digests. After treatment with hydrolysates at room temperature, a much higher total Fe content of 781.99 mg/kg was observed compared to other treatment conditions. The release of amino acids increased with temperature and was 520.54 mg/g for the hydrolysate-treated sample versus 413.12 mg/g for the control seal meat sample treated in buffer. Overall, this study provides useful data on the potential use of seal meat as a food product with high nutritive value and seal meat hydrolysates with antioxidant activity as preservatives to control oxidation in food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the ultrastructure of the mammalian os penis at the high-resolution synchrotron level. Previously, bacular microanatomy had only been investigated histologically. We studied the baculum of the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus), in which the baculum varies more in size and shape than does a mechanically constrained bone (humerus). We (1) investigated the microarchitecture of bacula and humeri from the same seal specimens, and (2) described changes in bone micro- and macro-morphology associated with age (n = 15, age range = 1-35 years) and bone type. We analyzed cross-sectional geometry non-destructively through laboratory micro-computed tomography. We suggest that the midshaft may resist axial compression while the proximal region may resist torsion, based on measurements of cross-sectional and cortical areas, perimeter, ratio of maximum and minimum moments of inertia, and polar moment of inertia. In addition, midshaft bacula may be less mechanosensitive than humeri, based on microstructural variables (e.g., volume, surface area, diameter associated with lacunae and cortical porosity) analyzed across age groupings. Our findings related to the microarchitecture of the pinniped baculum provide a basis for further studies on development, mechanical properties, functions, and adaptations in this and other pinniped species. Our use of a multi-modal imaging approach was minimally destructive for reproducible and accurate comparison of three-dimensional bone ultrastructure. Such methods, coupled with multidisciplinary analyses, enable diverse studies of bone biology, life history, and evolution using museum collections., (© 2024 American Association for Anatomy.)

Recent marine mammal recovery and growth of human populations in coastal areas has led to increased human harassment of protected pinniped populations. Yet, current monitoring approaches lack the necessary resolution to describe this emerging issue. We therefore propose a new classification scheme for monitoring of marine mammal–human interaction (HI), which defines categories based on the type of human behavior and associated risks to the animal. Among harbor, harp, and gray seal strandings (N = 3,525) from 2007 to 2019 in Maine, United States, evidence of HI was reported in 14.72% of strandings, with the majority (75.34%) of these cases involving harassment. The number of HI reports increased over time, particularly in the southern region of the state, and an analysis of geographic hotspots further identifies emerging areas of concern. Variation in the rate and type of HI among species, age classes, and seasons reflect differences in pinniped life history. The most commonly observed types of harassment included human approach, physical contact, and displacement. By breaking down harassment, we aim to inform ongoing mitigation efforts and contribute to our understanding of the impact of HI on marine mammal health, as well as offer a transferable methodological approach to monitoring human–wildlife interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recent marine mammal recovery and growth of human populations in coastal areas has led to increased human harassment of protected pinniped populations. Yet, current monitoring approaches lack the necessary resolution to describe this emerging issue. We therefore propose a new classification scheme for monitoring of marine mammal–human interaction (HI), which defines categories based on the type of human behavior and associated risks to the animal. Among harbor, harp, and gray seal strandings (N = 3,525) from 2007 to 2019 in Maine, United States, evidence of HI was reported in 14.72% of strandings, with the majority (75.34%) of these cases involving harassment. The number of HI reports increased over time, particularly in the southern region of the state, and an analysis of geographic hotspots further identifies emerging areas of concern. Variation in the rate and type of HI among species, age classes, and seasons reflect differences in pinniped life history. The most commonly observed types of harassment included human approach, physical contact, and displacement. By breaking down harassment, we aim to inform ongoing mitigation efforts and contribute to our understanding of the impact of HI on marine mammal health, as well as offer a transferable methodological approach to monitoring human–wildlife interaction.

Seal meat is of high nutritive value but is not highly exploited for human food due to ethical issues, undesirable flavors, and loss of nutrients during the processing/cooking step. In this work, commercially available processed seal meat was treated with its hydrolysates as preservatives with the aim of improving nutrient bioavailability. The contents of the nutrients were analyzed after digestion using a simulated dynamic digestion model, and the effects of different processing conditions, i.e., low-temperature processing and storage (25 °C) and high-temperature cooking (100 °C), of seal meat were investigated. Hydrolysates with antioxidant activity decreased the amounts of the less desirable Fe3+ ions in the seal meat digests. After treatment with hydrolysates at room temperature, a much higher total Fe content of 781.99 mg/kg was observed compared to other treatment conditions. The release of amino acids increased with temperature and was 520.54 mg/g for the hydrolysate-treated sample versus 413.12 mg/g for the control seal meat sample treated in buffer. Overall, this study provides useful data on the potential use of seal meat as a food product with high nutritive value and seal meat hydrolysates with antioxidant activity as preservatives to control oxidation in food.

Harp seals require pack ice as a platform for resting, to give birth and nurse their young. They are also subject to commercial and subsistence harvesting. We examined the status of the Northwest Atlantic harp seal population using a three parameter population model that fits to estimates of pup production and reproductive rates, and incorporates information on annual catches in Canada and Greenland (including by-catch and struck and lost), and unusual pup mortality due to poor ice conditions. After applying the model formulation used during previous assessments, the fit to the reproductive data and aerial survey data was poor. Using an alternative formulation where adult mortality was fixed and juvenile mortality estimated, and a Comprehensive Environmental Index used to vary the population carrying capacity, improved the model fit to the data. Based upon a population model that included pup production estimates up to 2017, annual estimates of age-specific reproductive rates, removals and ice related mortality up to 2019, the harp seal population appears to have been relatively stable since the mid-1990s, but has been increasing in recent years likely due to higher reproductive rates and lower removals. The model estimated a pup production of 1,039,000 (95% CI 927,000 - 1,100,000) animals and a total population size of 6.8 (95% CI 5.8 - 8.0) million animals in 2017. Projecting forward to 2019, the model estimated that the population increased to 7.6 (95% CI 6.6 - 8.8) million harp seals. Climate change is having an impact on ice-cover, particularly in the Gulf of St Lawrence, but even the northeast Newfoundland area is expected to be ice-free by the end of the century. This will have a negative impact on harp seals unless new areas for pupping are found to the north of current whelping areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of research on changes in active forms of behavior of two representatives of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus Erxleben, 1777) in the spring - summer period in conditions of aviary keeping by analyzing its quantitative characteristics have been presented. Material for this paper was gathered within a series of observations on Murmansk Marine Biological Institute's aquacomplex in Polyarny, 2011. Method of "recording individual behavioral manifestations" was used as the main method of observation. The following characteristics have been used as parameters for assessing animal behavior: the mean duration of apnea, the mean duration of animal being on surface, the number of surfacing per minute, the percentage of being underwater and on the surface from the total budget of time, the percentage of being on platform and resting in water from total budget of time. A comparison has been made between the behavior parameters of each animal, and the individual characteristics of their behavior have been described. The gathered data have allowed us to consider possibility of influence of some environmental factors on behavior of harp seals. The impact assessment has been carried out based on the values of the following factors: temperature of water, temperature of air, wind speed, atmospheric pressure level. The statistical analysis has not revealed any significant dependencies between animals' behavior changes and such factors as atmospheric pressure. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient has shown the presence of feedback between the surfacing rate and the water temperature for both animals, and also a positive connection between the mean duration of apnea and water temperature for one animal and the air temperature for other.

The results of studying the possibility of producing a motor conditioned reflex in the gray and harp seals on the smell of an object and the ability of experimental seals to differentiate certain odours have been presented. The study has contained three stages. In the first stage the seals were trained to differentiate a container from the camphor solution from a container with distilled water. In the second – to differentiate the container with a solution of dimethyl sulfide from the container with distilled water. At these stages, the possibility of developing a conditioned motor reflex to the olfactory stimulus in the seals studied has been studied. At the third stage, the ability of experimental animals was examined by paired presentation of a container with the solution of dimethyl sulphide from a container with camphor solution. The experiment has been carried out under the MMBI aquacomplex in the Kola Bay. The experimental animals were two female gray seal (Halichoerus grypus, Fabricius, 1791) at the age of 7 years and two females of harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus, Erxleben, 1777) at the age of 2 years. For the experiments, the stimulants were diluted in distilled water to such concentration that the odour intensity was minimal, then the solution was placed in a container. The results of the work have demonstrated the ability of experimental seals to develop a motor conditioned reflex to olfactory stimuli and the ability to distinguish one odour from another. When teaching the differentiation of a container with a smell, the rate of training of gray and harp seal is relatively the same, while learning to differentiate two smells, harp seals are trained an order of magnitude slower than gray seals. This difference in the speed of training is probably due to the specific features of the seals studied and indicates a higher plasticity of the nervous activity of gray seals.

Obtaining accurate estimates of reproductive rates is critical for describing the population dynamics of a species. Since the 1950s, fecundity rates of Northwest Atlantic harp seals have declined while inter-annual variability has increased. These highly variable reproductive rates have continued although the very low fecundity rates observed in 2010 and 2011 have not occurred again. High fecundity rates were observed in 2014 and 2015 associated with a period of extensive ice and relatively high capelin abundance. A previous study has shown that while the general decline in fecundity is a reflection of density-dependent processes associated with increased population size, the large inter-annual variability is due to varying rates of late-term abortions which are related to changes in capelin abundance (focal forage species of the system), and mid-winter ice coverage (which reflects environmental conditions that influence a variety of species). We hypothesize that the impact of changing prey availability influences reproductive rates through changes in body condition. We found that the average relative condition of pregnant females was high throughout four decades, whereas that of non-pregnant and immature females varied considerably and showed a general decline since 2000. While condition did not appear to influence fecundity rates directly, it affected the rate of late-term abortions. Relatively small reductions in average condition resulted in much higher abortion rates. This suggests that as overall condition in the population declines, females that are able to attain sufficient energy maintain their pregnancy while those that cannot terminate it prematurely. The relative influences of mid-winter ice coverage, capelin abundance, and body condition could not be resolved as these are different metrics of the amount of energy available for pupping. Capelin biomass is influenced by the timing of the ice retreat from the Newfoundland Shelf. In the short term (i.e., the next two years), capelin biomass is predicted to decline, and this will likely affect reproductive rates. In the long term, there is great uncertainty as to how the predicted changes in timing of ice formation and retreat will impact capelin, and hence reproductive rates of harp seals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photographic and visual aerial surveys were conducted off Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during March 2017 to determine pup production of Northwest Atlantic Harp Seals. After extensive reconnaissance, four whelping areas were identified in the southern Gulf, northern Gulf and at the Front ('Groais Island' and 'Strait'). Surveys were carried out between March 6 and18. Very few pups were born in the southern Gulf and no whelping concentrations were observed prior to March 5 which is approximately a week later than usual. Averaging the results of three surveys (two visual, one photographic) of the area, and correcting for pups that were born after the survey, provided an estimated pup production of 18,300 (SE=1,500, rounded to the nearest hundred). This is far lower than the 2012 survey estimate for the same area of 115,500 (SE=15,100). Pup production in the northern Gulf was also lower than in previous years at 13,600 (SE=3,000). A total of 714,600 (SE=89,700) pups were estimated to have been born at the Front; accounting for 96% of all pupping in 2017. Combining the number of pups found in all four areas resulted in an estimated total pup production of 746,500 (SE=89,900, CV=12%) which is the lowest since 1994. The timing of births in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence was much later than normal in 2017 while unusually early pupping at the Front suggests that some females from the Gulf herd may have moved to the Front to whelp due to the lack of ice suitable for pupping in the Gulf. Although one large concentration formed as usual, approximately 15% of the pupping at the Front occurred in small, dispersed groups later than seen in previous years. Given the unusual ice conditions, distribution of whelping seals, and timing of pupping, assessing the results of the 2017 surveys relative to other estimates of pup production in the Northwest Atlantic is challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phagocytic and cytochemical parameters of peripheral blood leukocytes in adult and 1.5-month-old harp seal pups were studied. Phagocytic number, proportion of phagocytic leukocytes, and phagocytic activity, average number of absorbed latex particles per leukocyte, were determined. Differences between groups of seals by average values of these indicators have not been revealed. A correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the phagocytic activity of leukocytes and their glycogen content in adult seals (r = 0.89). Content of cationic bactericidal protein (CP) in leukocytes of adult animals was 10–12 times higher than in pups. Correlation of CP and eosinophil count in adults was high (r = 0.88). Adult had significantly more eosinophils than pups. The noted features can provide higher efficiency of phagocytosis and destruction of absorbed bacteria in adult seals as compared to pups, despite the high level of indicators of the first, absorbing, phase of phagocytosis in the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lethargic juvenile male harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) in poor nutritional condition was found on the beach on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, Canada, in June 2017. Microscopic examination revealed a severe nonsuppurative encephalitis positive for morbillivirus antigen on immunohistochemistry. Virus isolation attempts were negative. However, phocine distemper virus (PDV) was detected in brain tissue RNA extracts by a seminested reverse transcription PCR that targeted the paramyxovirus RNA–dependent RNA polymerase (pol) gene. Comparison of the resulting partial PDV pol nucleotide sequence revealed it was nearly identical to PDV strains isolated from eastern Atlantic harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) during a 1988 epizootic in the Wadden and Irish seas, and a western Atlantic harbor seal (Phoca vitulina concolor) that stranded in Maine, US, in 2006. Our study confirmed that closely related PDV strains are circulating in multiple seal species along the coastlines of North America and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Icebreaker vessels are important scientific tools, enabling access and research within the polar regions of the world, including the High Arctic. These vessels have the potential to overlap with marine mammal habitats in infrequently studied areas. Marine mammal behavioral responses to icebreaker vessel presence and distance at which responses occur are not well documented or understood. During the Petermann 2015 Expedition on the icebreaker Oden, seal and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) data were collected in Petermann Fjord (Northwest Greenland), the adjacent Nares Strait region, and transit to and from Thule, Greenland over 31 days (July 30 to August 30, 2015). We examined behavioral responses from 4 pinniped species: bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), ringed seal (Pusa hispida), harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seal (Crystophora cristata), as well as the polar bear to an icebreaker vessel in a rarely studied region of northwest Greenland. We investigated the rate of flush response, entering the water from a previously hauled out (i.e., resting) location on ice in relation to seal distance to the vessel. Our results showed a significant difference (independent t-test, P ≤ 0.001) between seal distance to the vessel when a flush response occurred (mean = 467.1 m, SD = 212.39 m) and when no flush response occurred (mean = 1334.0 m, SD = 433.89 m). There were fewer flush responses by seals to the icebreaker at distances >600 m and no flush responses by seals to the icebreaker at distances >800 m. We used a logistic model to describe the relationship between the proportion of seals that flushed and distance from the icebreaker. Results of the logistical model showed the estimated distance at which 50% of the seals flushed to be 709.45 m (SE = 9.24, t = 76.8, P < 0.0001). Three polar bears were recorded during the transit, and a behavioral response (e.g., look, approach, move away) was recorded for all 3 sightings. Our preliminary findings are relevant to assess potential impacts of increasing vessel activity in the High Arctic and to assist in the development of effective monitoring and mitigation strategies.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between shooting angle to the head and animal welfare outcomes in the hunt of young harp seals ( Pagophilus groenlandicus ). The study population consisted of young harp seals belonging to the Greenland Sea harp seal population. A sample of 171, 2-7 weeks old, weaned harp seals of both sexes were included. The study was conducted as an open, randomised parallel group designed trial during the regular hunt. The animals were allocated into four groups, A-D, according to the observed shooting angle to the head, defined as the angle between the direction of the shot and the longitudinal axis of the animal's head: (A) directly from the front; (B) obliquely from the front; (C) directly from the side; and (D) obliquely or directly from behind. Instantaneous death rate (IDR) and time to death (TTD) were the main variables. The mean IDR differed significantly between groups and was highest in group B (96.8%) and lowest in group C (66.7%). For all groups combined it was 84.2%. The mean TTD for seals not rendered instantaneously unconscious or dead (n = 27) differed significantly between groups and was shortest in group A (16 s) and longest in group C (85 s). However, the number of animals included in the TTD analysis was limited. In conclusion, based on the significantly higher IDR, the shooting angle obliquely from the front is recommended to help achieve the best animal welfare outcomes during the hunt of young harp seals., Competing Interests: None., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Icebreaker vessels are important scientific tools, enabling access and research within the polar regions of the world, including the High Arctic. These vessels have the potential to overlap with marine mammal habitats in infrequently studied areas. Marine mammal behavioral responses to icebreaker vessel presence and distance at which responses occur are not well documented or understood. During the Petermann 2015 Expedition on the icebreaker Oden, seal and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) data were collected in Petermann Fjord (Northwest Greenland), the adjacent Nares Strait region, and transit to and from Thule, Greenland over 31 days (July 30 to August 30, 2015). We examined behavioral responses from 4 pinniped species: bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), ringed seal (Pusa hispida), harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus), and hooded seal (Crystophora cristata), as well as the polar bear to an icebreaker vessel in a rarely studied region of northwest Greenland. We investigated the rate of flush response, entering the water from a previously hauled out (i.e., resting) location on ice in relation to seal distance to the vessel. Our results showed a significant difference (independent t-test, P ≤ 0.001) between seal distance to the vessel when a flush response occurred (mean = 467.1 m, SD = 212.39 m) and when no flush response occurred (mean = 1334.0 m, SD = 433.89 m). There were fewer flush responses by seals to the icebreaker at distances >600 m and no flush responses by seals to the icebreaker at distances >800 m. We used a logistic model to describe the relationship between the proportion of seals that flushed and distance from the icebreaker. Results of the logistical model showed the estimated distance at which 50% of the seals flushed to be 709.45 m (SE = 9.24, t = 76.8, P < 0.0001). Three polar bears were recorded during the transit, and a behavioral response (e.g., look, approach, move away) was recorded for all 3 sightings. Our preliminary findings are relevant to assess potential impacts of increasing vessel activity in the High Arctic and to assist in the development of effective monitoring and mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three wild-caught female harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) from the Greenland Sea stock were brought into temporary captivity in connection with a controlled validation study on energetics. The two pups and one adult were kept in two indoor and outdoor experimental facilities approved by the Norwegian Animal Research Authority. They were trained daily using operant conditioning to participate in experiments and husbandry and were regularly fed live fish. After 2.5 years, the harp seals were instrumented with satellite transmitters and released in the Barents Sea under a Norwegian Food Safety Authority permit. The tags transmitted for 45, 67, and 162 days for the juveniles and adult, respectively. The two juveniles remained in the Barents Sea east of the Svalbard Archipelago, while the adult female migrated to the Greenland Sea following a pattern consistent with that observed in wild harp seals from the same stock. They all performed regular deep dives (>100 m) and exhibited signs of for- aging comparable to wild harp seals. Our results suggest that it is possible to conduct temporary captive studies with wild juvenile and adult harp seals. Study animals can be trained and subse- quently released if they meet a set of criteria. This framework combines advantages of captive study design with traditional field methods and follows European ethical guidelines on animal experimentation with respect to the re-homing of experimentation animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoonotic infections transmitted from marine mammals to humans in the Baltic and European Arctic are of unknown significance, despite given considerable potential for transmission due to local hunt. Here we present results of an initial screening for Brucella spp. in Arctic and Baltic seal species. Baltic ringed seals ( Pusa hispida, n  = 12) sampled in October 2015 and Greenland Sea harp seals ( Pagophilus groenlandicus , n  = 6) and hooded seals ( Cystophora cristata , n  = 3) sampled in March 2015 were serologically analysed for antibodies against Brucella spp. The serological analyses were performed using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) followed by a confirmatory testing of RBT-positive samples by a competitive-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). Two of the Baltic ringed seals (a juvenile male and a juvenile female) were seropositive thus indicating previous exposure to a Brucella spp. The findings indicate that ringed seals in the Baltic ecosystem may be exposed to and possibly infected by Brucella spp. No seropositive individuals were detected among the Greenland harp and hooded seals. Although our initial screening shows a zoonotic hazard to Baltic locals, a more in-depth epidemiological investigation is needed in order to determine the human risk associated with this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]