Pinnipeds of New England - a glimpse into science and conservation

This is a free presentation seminar and discussion event hosted by the Center for Student Coastal Research (CSCR), a non profit organization located in Cohasset on Boston's South Shore. CSCR educates students in environmental sciences, encourages environmental awareness, and promotes activism. Details are available at www.ccscr.org.

General attendance and participation is complimentary, tax deductible donations are welcome.

The next guest speaker of the CSCR seminar and discussion series is Lisa Becker, internationally experienced ethologist and wildlife rehabilitation professional who previously worked at the National Marine Life Center (Buzzards Bay, MA), the Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito CA) and Seal Rescue Ireland, the only marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in the Republic of Ireland. Lisa will present and discuss “Pinnipeds of New England and beyond - a glimpse into science and conservation ”.

Seminar Abstract

Like other marine mammal species, pinnipeds face many challenges in their ocean habitat. Some of these challenges are natural, while others are man-made or caused by human interaction. Pinnipeds are sometimes found stranded along the shore, on beaches, in lakes or rivers, marshes, backyards, roads, and various other places, in need of protection or medical attention.

In the United States, marine mammals are protected by law and must not be harmed, captured, touched or harassed, and yet, many animals experience disturbances or injuries that can lead to their deaths. It is crucial to report a seal in distress to the local authorities so that the process of rescue and rehabilitation can begin, if warranted.

This presentation will cover known causes for seals stranding, a detailed insight into pinniped rehabilitation, case studies, as well as procedures for seals being released back into the wild.

Rehabilitation not only provides wild animals with a second chance in life, it also gives us the opportunity to collect important scientific data about the species, the threats the animals face, as well as the state of the oceans they live in. This data is regularly reported to and shared with federal agencies, the public, and regional, national and international communities and colleagues to contribute to marine conservation and to study the approach of One Health, the close connection between human, animal and environmental health.

Biography:

Lisa is an internationally experienced ethologist and wildlife rehabilitation professional with a particular interest in marine conservation. Lisa’s career in marine and wildlife conservation started at a seal and seabird rescue station in Germany in 2000. Subsequently she studied Organismal Biology and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Ethology, Zoology and Ecology from the University of Osnabrueck, Germany. Her research on the endangered semi-aquatic European mink focused on examining hyper-aggressive males in captive breeding programs and enabling a reintroduction program of the species back into the wild. During her career, Lisa worked with a variety of marine and terrestrial species for conservational efforts around the world in Oceania, Europe and North America. At Stanford University Lisa held a research and management position at a Neuroscience laboratory for several years where she continued her research on hyper-aggressive males, in African cichlids. While residing in California, Lisa also took on the role of Animal Husbandry Crew Supervisor at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito where she rescued and rehabilitated a variety of pinniped species and sea otters. Lisa has managed seal rehabilitation programs in both Europe and New England for almost a decade, including Seal Rescue Ireland, the only marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in the Republic of Ireland. She has been serving in multiple board and advisory committee roles, among those are the board of trustees of the Marine Science Institute in California, a non-profit organization that cultivates a responsibility for the natural environment through interdisciplinary science education; the steering committee of the Consortium for the Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Network; and the advisory committee for veterinary science at the Upper Cape Regional Technical School in Bourne, MA. Lisa is currently assisting local marine mammal stranding organizations with seal rescues and short-term seal holding setups and she is raising awareness about the impact humans can have on wild seals and their welfare.