Fig. 5

Examples of field procedures on pinnipeds for ETD projects. Having enough experienced hands on a field team helps to ensure an efficient procedure and minimizes handling time (Recommendations # 5 and 14); collection of ancillary data including morphometrics and tissue samples can enhance the value of ETD data (Recommendation #3). a Weighing a leopard seal at Cape Shirreff during sedation for attachment of a Wildlife Computers SPLASH10 Argos transmitter and TDR. This project combined physiological and behavioral sampling trying to match diving and movement behavior to blood volume, muscle myoglobin, and muscle fiber types. Photo © DP Costa, 2018, NWFS #19439. b An adult female northern elephant seal sedated for instrument attachment at Año Nuevo Reserve. The animal’s breathing is being monitored while morphometric measurements are taken and nasal swabs are collected. One crew member is attaching a CTD-SRDL (SMRU Instrumentation) to the head of the animal with Loctite Quickset™ epoxy, with 5-mm neoprene and mesh between the tag and pelage to allow for EDT removal when the animal returns to shore. The animal’s supraorbital whiskers are taped down to prevent them from sticking to the epoxy (Recommendations # 9 and 10). A second crew member is attaching a VHF beacon (Advanced Telemetry Systems Inc., Isanti, MN, USA) to the back of the animal. The VHF transmitter is wrapped in splicing tape (3-M Temflex™ type 2155) and attached to heavy delta nylon weave ¼” mesh with nylon cable ties. This deployment is part of ongoing research into the relationships between foraging behavior and body condition of northern elephant seals under varying climate conditions [2, 30, 97]. Photo © RR Holser, 2017, NMFS #19108