Ice Seal Research
Movements and Habitat Use Studies

During July 2021, we received locations for 1 spotted seal. Spotted seal SS19-06-M (green circle) moved from outside of Kotzebue Sound, north along the northwest coast of Alaska, and was most recently located between Peard Bay and Utqiaġvik, Alaska.

This seal was tagged during the fall of 2019 near Utqiaġvik, Alaska. As expected, the primary tag we epoxied to its back has since fallen off during the annual spring molt (2020). The locations we are currently receiving are from the SPOT tags we attached to its flipper. Because SPOT tags are attached to their flippers we only receive locations when the seal has hauled out of the water, either on sea ice or land. Seal movements can also be viewed on the Animal Telemetry Network (https://portal.atn.ioos.us/##metadata/ae1ea78a-2dbf-4294-908c-77580f92d5fd/project). Sea ice data are courtesy of the U.S. National Ice Center, dated 31 July 2021 (https://usicecenter.gov/Products/ArcticData).

Animation of Seal Locations and Sea Ice in 2016

Animation of Seal Locations and Sea Ice in 2016
Animation of Seal Locations and Sea Ice in 2016

See the locations and watch the movements of bearded seals, ringed seals, and spotted seals equipped with GPS tracking devices in the Bering, Beaufort and Chukchi seas.

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