everything about seals comenius project

„„Everything about Everything about seals”seals”

Authors :Authors :Alicja Matracka Alicja Matracka Monika KwiatkowskaMonika KwiatkowskaJarek WieczorekJarek WieczorekKrystian Malc Krystian Malc

Tutors :Tutors :Aleksandra RachońAleksandra Rachoń

ConsultationConsultationBeata Piełowska Beata Piełowska

XX Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Zbigniewa Herberta XX Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Zbigniewa Herberta

Natural Treasures of Europe

Project "Blue School"Project "Blue School"Natural Treasures of Europe

Seal Centre-sea stationSeal Centre-sea station

The Seal Centre consists of The Seal Centre consists of three pools for three pools for breeding, isolated several breeding, isolated several small pools or teaching laboratory small pools or teaching laboratory buildingbuilding

The Sea Station of the University ofThe Sea Station of the University of Gdansk Institute of OceanographyGdansk Institute of Oceanography--Research faculty was established in Research faculty was established in 1992.1992.


Physiology of seal Physiology of seal In the Baltic Sea there are currently three species of seal :In the Baltic Sea there are currently three species of seal :

Foto:Dagmara Kibitlewska, Andreas Trepte


The Characteristics of The Characteristics of sealsseals

• Grey, brown or dark fur.Grey, brown or dark fur.• Dark marks on the whole bodyDark marks on the whole body• Long, narrow doggy snoutLong, narrow doggy snout• Long moustacheLong moustache• Hard clawsHard claws• Sharp tSharp teeteeths which are good to hs which are good to

eat fisheat fish• Short, fury flippersShort, fury flippers


The Seal as part of the The Seal as part of the ecosystemecosystem

At first when we see seals on the ground they may seem poor, but when At first when we see seals on the ground they may seem poor, but when they enter the water they became real hunters. They feed they enter the water they became real hunters. They feed on fish (sardines, mackerel, cod, herring and shellfish). The Seal in the on fish (sardines, mackerel, cod, herring and shellfish). The Seal in the natural ecosystem :natural ecosystem :

Foto:Bożena Adamowicz


In the ecosystem of the In the ecosystem of the world orcas and sharks hunt world orcas and sharks hunt for seals: in the Baltic for seals: in the Baltic Sea, the greatest threat Sea, the greatest threat to seals are to seals are people. People catching fish,people. People catching fish, throw into the throw into the water hundreds of meters water hundreds of meters of fishing of fishing net. Seals attracted net. Seals attracted by easy meal in a fishing by easy meal in a fishing net are caught and die from net are caught and die from lack of air. People do lack of air. People do not admit it and not admit it and usually throw dead seals in usually throw dead seals in the water.the water.

Foto:http://www.strazgraniczna.pl/


ThreatsThreats and mortality of and mortality of sealsseals

You can replace the three factors that threaten the lives of seals in the You can replace the three factors that threaten the lives of seals in the Baltic Sea:Baltic Sea:


Fishing NetsFishing Nets

Accidentally tangling in a fishing net to catch fish exposed in the areas Accidentally tangling in a fishing net to catch fish exposed in the areas of residence or from migration of seals is the most common cause of of residence or from migration of seals is the most common cause of death of these animals. The victims are mostly the young seals caught death of these animals. The victims are mostly the young seals caught killed in fishing nets a few months after birth. Critical months are April, killed in fishing nets a few months after birth. Critical months are April, May and June. By-catch in the Baltic Sea is estimated May and June. By-catch in the Baltic Sea is estimated at approximately 7.5% of population.at approximately 7.5% of population.

Foto:http://www.matternetwork.com


Pollution of the Pollution of the EcosystemEcosystem

High concentration High concentration of chlorinated compounds in the tissues of chlorinated compounds in the tissues of grey seal and ringed causes pathological of grey seal and ringed causes pathological changes in female reproductive organs. As changes in female reproductive organs. As a result of these diseases there are a result of these diseases there are no seals in pregnancy, fetuses are sick, no seals in pregnancy, fetuses are sick, have an abortion, the young are often have an abortion, the young are often born dead.born dead.

Foto:http://forum.santabanta.com/


NO QUIET-TOURISMNO QUIET-TOURISM

The intensive development of tourism and the The intensive development of tourism and the related expansion of human coastal related expansion of human coastal areas causes displacement of seals from their areas causes displacement of seals from their traditional habitats. Animals flee wherever they traditional habitats. Animals flee wherever they can find a quiet place to relax, and especially to can find a quiet place to relax, and especially to bring up their young.bring up their young.

Foto:http://www.wspolnysopot.pl/


The need for foodThe need for food

Seals mainly prey on fish but also eat clams, crustaceans, Seals mainly prey on fish but also eat clams, crustaceans, cephalopods. The Seal Centre are fed only herrings and other fish are cephalopods. The Seal Centre are fed only herrings and other fish are not the principle of bride. Their demand for food is dependent on the not the principle of bride. Their demand for food is dependent on the season and averaged 5-9 kg of fish per day for one seal. Young Turing season and averaged 5-9 kg of fish per day for one seal. Young Turing Feeding time the mother's milk (about 50% fat) gain weight about 2 kg Feeding time the mother's milk (about 50% fat) gain weight about 2 kg per day.per day.

Foto:http://www.rmf24.pl/


Behaviour in the WildBehaviour in the WildSeals do not like long walks and Seals do not like long walks and avoid flowing out into the avoid flowing out into the open water. They usually live in open water. They usually live in shallow waters with rocky shallow waters with rocky shores. Sometimes they are shores. Sometimes they are encountered near encountered near the estuaries and the small sandy islanthe estuaries and the small sandy islands. Pregnancy lasts for 9-ds. Pregnancy lasts for 9-11months. The female gives birth 11months. The female gives birth to one, occasionally two to one, occasionally two young. Childbirth occurs on young. Childbirth occurs on land. Mother feeds the young with land. Mother feeds the young with milk for about milk for about 5 weeks. Mating appear, in late 5 weeks. Mating appear, in late January and February.January and February.


The Grey sealThe Grey seal

The most common species encountered in our seas is the Grey Seal, which is The most common species encountered in our seas is the Grey Seal, which is currently estimated at 5000 thousand individuals.currently estimated at 5000 thousand individuals.

A male gray seal is pretty large and has many spots on the A male gray seal is pretty large and has many spots on the body, it reaches from 250-300 cm body length and its weight ranges from 200-body, it reaches from 250-300 cm body length and its weight ranges from 200-290 kg. Typically it survives about 34 years.It reaches sexual maturity at the age of 290 kg. Typically it survives about 34 years.It reaches sexual maturity at the age of 6.6.Female grey seal is characterized by a small amount of dark spots and grey fur. The Female grey seal is characterized by a small amount of dark spots and grey fur. The length of her body is between 170-200 cm and weight of 100-120 kg. On average, they length of her body is between 170-200 cm and weight of 100-120 kg. On average, they live about 23 years. Their sexual maturity is reached at the age of 4 years.live about 23 years. Their sexual maturity is reached at the age of 4 years.

Young seals that come into the world are on average 75 cm long and weigh 6-10 pounds. Young seals that come into the world are on average 75 cm long and weigh 6-10 pounds. They have fur called lanugo, which they then shed . They have fur called lanugo, which they then shed . ..


HarborHarbor SealSealThe it is hard to distinguish Male from The it is hard to distinguish Male from female because they have no differences in the female because they have no differences in the appearance. appearance.

The Males grow up to 180 cm, with up to 130 kg.The Males grow up to 180 cm, with up to 130 kg.

The Females are smaller, their body length reaches up to The Females are smaller, their body length reaches up to 150 cm and weight 105 kg.150 cm and weight 105 kg.

The Young are born in late June and July on the The Young are born in late June and July on the shore. They measure 70-90cm long and weighs 9-11kg.shore. They measure 70-90cm long and weighs 9-11kg.


The Ringed SealThe Ringed SealThe smallest of the Baltic seals.The smallest of the Baltic seals.They have a characteristic bright lines in the shape They have a characteristic bright lines in the shape of elongated rings.of elongated rings.

Females are smaller, up to 145 cm, weigh an average of 70 kg.Females are smaller, up to 145 cm, weigh an average of 70 kg.

Males reach sizes of 160cm and 110kg in weight.Males reach sizes of 160cm and 110kg in weight.Young seals have a 50 cm long and weighs 4 kg.Young seals have a 50 cm long and weighs 4 kg.

Ringed seals hunt for snails, cod and shellfishRinged seals hunt for snails, cod and shellfishThe go to the shore very rarely spending most of their time in The go to the shore very rarely spending most of their time in the water or on an ice floe. This type of seals do not migrate. the water or on an ice floe. This type of seals do not migrate.


Seal Protection Seal Protection ProgramsProgramsThe number of seals in the Baltic Sea is estimated at The number of seals in the Baltic Sea is estimated at

about 22,500 individuals. This is the number six times smaller about 22,500 individuals. This is the number six times smaller than the estimated population at the beginning of the than the estimated population at the beginning of the twentieth century. They are hunting on a regular twentieth century. They are hunting on a regular basis but their numbers is falling. People have not contributed basis but their numbers is falling. People have not contributed to that dramatical fall in their numbers but lack of ice to that dramatical fall in their numbers but lack of ice on which they could reproduce, as well as on going pollution on which they could reproduce, as well as on going pollution of the Baltic Sea.of the Baltic Sea.


All types of seals have a All types of seals have a total protection in total protection in

PolandPolandTo return the seal to the southern part of the Baltic is the primary aim of To return the seal to the southern part of the Baltic is the primary aim of the Seal Centre.the Seal Centre.

Seal Centre is receives the proclamation and catches small seals injured Seal Centre is receives the proclamation and catches small seals injured or unattended. It treats and cares for them until they do not reach maturity or unattended. It treats and cares for them until they do not reach maturity and when scientists are not sure that will survive. All this in order to enable the and when scientists are not sure that will survive. All this in order to enable the seal to return to the Baltic Hel Seal Centre is designedseal to return to the Baltic Hel Seal Centre is designed to restore native populationsto restore native populations of seals in the Baltic. At present a few young seals are of seals in the Baltic. At present a few young seals are staying at the Hel Seal Centre. staying at the Hel Seal Centre.

Foto:http://www.fokarium.pl/


Successes Successes and interesting factoand interesting facto

• The first success of the Hel Seal Centre is Adam ,a seal born 25th The first success of the Hel Seal Centre is Adam ,a seal born 25th Febuary 2001 . Febuary 2001 .

• The only regular place of occurrence of these animals is a nature The only regular place of occurrence of these animals is a nature reserve Mewia Łacha located at the mouth of the Wisła. In 2007, reserve Mewia Łacha located at the mouth of the Wisła. In 2007, a harem was observed, consisting of five males and females.a harem was observed, consisting of five males and females.

• Other favourite places for seal to stay Baltic Sea are Other favourite places for seal to stay Baltic Sea are Ryf Mew (Rybitwia Mielizna) and Hel Spit Ryf Mew (Rybitwia Mielizna) and Hel Spit


Migration route of grey Migration route of grey sealssealsSeals are present mainly in shallow waters, close to sandy Seals are present mainly in shallow waters, close to sandy

beaches, estuaries, and on small islands. They form beaches, estuaries, and on small islands. They form colonies of up to several hundred pieces. Do colonies of up to several hundred pieces. Do not take longer trips, away from their habitat at about 10-not take longer trips, away from their habitat at about 10-15km.They are very shy, 15km.They are very shy, yet curious. Often, watching boats or bathing people.yet curious. Often, watching boats or bathing people.

On the Internet, we can observe the migration of On the Internet, we can observe the migration of some seals after the transmitters were implanted on themsome seals after the transmitters were implanted on them

Foto:http://www.fokarium.pl/


When you meet a sealWhen you meet a sealNatural Treasures of Europe

RememberRememberNatural Treasures of Europe

Sources Sources http://www.fokarium.pl/http://www.fokarium.pl/

http://pl.wikipedia.org/http://pl.wikipedia.org/

http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/http://wiadomosci.wp.pl/

http://dagi.flog.pl/http://dagi.flog.pl/

http://levis.sggw.pl/http://levis.sggw.pl/

http://www.przyroda.polska.pl/http://www.przyroda.polska.pl/


This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the authors. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained herein.

everything about seals comenius project

Technology

dead seals

displacement of seals

migration of seals

lives of seals

areto seals

balticfor seals

seals attractednet

natural ecosystem