We examined the mortality rates and causes of death of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) pups in three regions of the inland waters of Washington (USA) in 1984. One hundred eight pups were collected during 239 searches of the shoreline areas near harbor seal haulout sites or through public reports. Minimum neonatal (up to 1 mo after birth) mortality rates at these regions ranged from 12% to 26% of the pups born. Neonatal mortality was highest in the Strait of Juan de Fuca; 33 of the estimated 105 (31%) pups born at the primary site died. Causes of death varied by location. In southern Puget Sound predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) was the primary cause of death, accounting for eight of 43 (19%) of the dead pups examined; starvation was the next most common cause of death. Mortality at study sites in the Strait of Juan de Fuca was related to premature parturition; 19 of 49 (39%) of the pups found dead were born prematurely. Nine species of bacteria were identified in samples taken from 42 pups; Proteus sp. and Escherichia coli were the most common.
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July 01 1989
MORTALITY OF HARBOR SEAL PUPS AT DIFFERENT SITES IN THE INLAND WATERS OF WASHINGTON
Gretchen H. Steiger;
Gretchen H. Steiger
1 Cascadia Research Collective, Waterstreet Bldg., 218½ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
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John Calambokidis;
John Calambokidis
1 Cascadia Research Collective, Waterstreet Bldg., 218½ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
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James C. Cubbage;
James C. Cubbage
1 Cascadia Research Collective, Waterstreet Bldg., 218½ West Fourth Avenue, Olympia, Washington 98501, USA
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Douglas E. Skilling;
Douglas E. Skilling
2 College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
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Alvin W. Smith;
Alvin W. Smith
2 College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
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David H. Gribble
David H. Gribble
3 Evergreen Professional Services, 19310 Northcreek Pkwy., Suite 102, Bothell, Washington 98011, USA
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J Wildl Dis (1989) 25 (3): 319–328.
Article history
Received:
August 18 1988
Citation
Gretchen H. Steiger, John Calambokidis, James C. Cubbage, Douglas E. Skilling, Alvin W. Smith, David H. Gribble; MORTALITY OF HARBOR SEAL PUPS AT DIFFERENT SITES IN THE INLAND WATERS OF WASHINGTON. J Wildl Dis 1 July 1989; 25 (3): 319–328. doi: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-25.3.319
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