The first Weddell seal pup of the season was born near Vernadsky Station
The first Weddell seal pup of the season was born on Winter Island near the “Akademik Vernadsky” station. Both the mother and the pup are doing well.
The pup was born on the neighboring Winter Island, which is located across from our Galindez Island.
The National Antarctic Scientific Center noted that it is now the beginning of spring in Antarctica, and this is precisely when female Weddell seals give birth to their pups. Each female gives birth to one pup.
“We’ve been monitoring the pregnant females for some time now as they ventured onto the ice at their traditional breeding grounds near the Vernadsky Research Station.” A few days ago, we set out to work in the ocean, and from the boat we spotted a flock of kittiwakes circling and calling between the neighboring islands of Winter and Skua. Kittiwakes usually do this when they find something to eat. Among other things, this could be a seal placenta. So I decided to investigate the area, launched a drone, and saw a female who had just given birth,” says Kirilo Sulima, a biologist on the 31st expedition.
The scientist immediately headed toward the mother and her pup to conduct the necessary research—specifically, to collect placenta samples.
“Fortunately, I managed to beat the skuas to it and collect the samples. This is important because they’re later used for molecular genetic studies, to test for contaminants, and so on,” notes Kirill.
Our scientists are also monitoring the overall success of the annual birth of "seal pups." After all, this process is closely linked to sea ice, which has been rapidly shrinking in recent years. Consequently, breeding conditions for this seal species are deteriorating.
According to observations by biologists from the 31st expedition, the current firstborn pup and its mother are doing well. In the first few days, pups typically weigh 25–30 kg and grow very quickly on the female’s nutritious milk, which has a fat content of 54%. By the end of the nursing period, which lasts about 3 months, they can reach 90 kg. Adult Weddell seals weigh about 400 kg.
This was reported by the National Antarctic Scientific Center
In Ukraine, recruitment has begun for a new Antarctic expedition to the Akademik Vernadsky Station.
As a reminder, a protected area in Antarctica has been established near the Akademik Vernadsky Station.
