Serologic Evidence of Brucella Spp. Exposure in Atlantic Walruses (Odobenus Rosmarus Rosmarus) and Ringed Seals (Phoca Hispida) of Arctic Canada

ARCTIC ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Nielsen ◽  
Klaus Nielsen ◽  
Robert E.A. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Arctic Canada ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus ◽  
Serologic Evidence ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus Rosmarus

scholarly journals Management of Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the arctic Atlantic

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Wiig ◽  
Erik W Born ◽  
Robert EA Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Current Control ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Canada ◽  
Quota System ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus Rosmarus

We review the management of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) past and present in the four range states—Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia—which have permanent populations of Atlantic walruses. Populations in all four countries have been depleted, although the extent of depletion is not well known. Inuit in Arctic Canada and Greenland hunt Atlantic walruses for subsistence while they have been protected at Svalbard (Norway) since 1952 and in the western Russian Arctic since 1956. Since the second half of the 20th Century Canada and Greenland have increased protection of their walrus. Generally the number of walruses landed in Canada is governed by the number of hunters and/or people in the settlement and not by stock-specific quotas. Although quotas have been set in few communities, it is not known if they are adequate to prevent overhunting. A quota system for walrus hunting in Greenland began in 2006. The current control system is largely effective in ensuring the quotas are applied and that reporting is correct. Greenland currently sets quotas based on recommendations from scientific assessments using recent population estimates to allow population growth from a depleted population.  A challenge with respect to managing walrus hunting remains the variable and sometimes high rates of lost animals. Since the 1960s changes in socio-economics in hunting areas of Arctic Canada and Greenland (and the use of snowmobiles instead of dog sleds in Canada) have led to a general decrease in interest in hunting of walruses and reduced harvest on walrus stocks in these countries. Although there is an active ongoing cooperation between Canada and Greenland scientists regarding assessments of shared populations of walruses currently there is no formal agreement between the two range states on co-management of shared stocks. Protection of walrus from other anthropogenic impacts generally focusses on large-scale industrial activity. The level of protection afforded to walrus habitat in many areas depends entirely on the rigor with which the Environmental Impact Assessments are conducted. Basic information on walrus such as numbers and stock discreteness is often lacking and sufficient lead-time is required to collect baseline data. Moreover, although most environmental protection legislation considers ‘cumulative impacts’, practical application remains problematic. The effectiveness of environmental protection regulations depends on industry compliance and the management authorities’ ability to enforce compliance. Because walrus are found in remote locations, enforcement remains a challenge. Increased human activity allowed by the current change in distribution and quality of arctic sea ice poses new threats to walrus if not well regulated. International agreements have varying importance for management within and among member states. Regulations governing international trade serve to identify illegally obtained products and to encourage range states to have a sustainable quota system. International cooperation in information sharing has had clear benefits for management of walruses in the past. The maintenance and expansion of these international efforts will improve the management of Atlantic walruses in the future. 

Neutralizing antibodies to Phocine Distemper Virus in Atlantic Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from Arctic Canada

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pádraig J. Duignan ◽  
Jeremiah T. Saliki ◽  
David J. St. Aubin ◽  
James A. House ◽  
Joseph R. Geraci
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Arctic Canada ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus ◽  
Phocine Distemper Virus ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus Rosmarus

Lungworm (Otostrongylus circumlitus) infections in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from eastern Arctic Canada

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 2443-2448 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Bergeron ◽  
L N Measures ◽  
J Huot
Keyword(s):  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Condition Index ◽  
Diving Behavior ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Arctic Canada ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Otostrongylus Circumlitus

Otostrongylus circumlitus, a metastrongyloid nematode found in the lungs of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and other pinnipeds, may affect the health of seals and reduce diving capacity. Of five sites sampled in eastern Arctic Canada (190 seals examined), Salluit, Que., is an important enzootic zone (prevalence 48.2%, n = 27). Maximum intensity of O. circumlitus was 32 worms. Infection is restricted to young-of-the-year seals and may have an impact on recruitment of the population. Local geographic conditions may influence transmission of the parasite and thus prevalence and intensity of O. circumlitus among populations of ringed seals. No condition index used showed any significant relationship to infection, but prevalence and intensity were related to sternal blubber thickness (0.01 < p < 0.05) indicating that this parasite may have an effect on the physical condition of seals. Otostrongylus circumlitus may have an indirect effect on seals by modifying their diving behavior. Severe infections may lead to death, but light infections could be lost after a certain time with subsequent development of protective immunity.

Haul-out behaviour and densities of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in the Barrow Strait area, N.W.T.

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 1985-1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerwin J. Finley
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Maximum Density ◽  
Stable Population ◽  
The Sun ◽  
High Wind ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
High Wind Speed ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Calm Weather

Numbers of ringed seals hauled out on the ice began to increase in early June. Numbers on the ice were highest from 0900 to 1500 hours Central Standard Time and lowest (average 40–50% of peak) in early morning. Seals commonly remained on the ice for several hours, and occasionally (during calm weather) for > 48 h. Numbers on the ice were reduced on windy days and possibly also on unusually warm, bright and calm days. Seals tended to face away from the wind (particularly with high wind speed) and oriented broadside to the sun. Seals usually occurred singly (60–70% of all groups) at their holes.Numbers of seals hauled out at Freemans Cove remained relatively constant during June (maximum density 4.86/km2), whereas at Aston Bay numbers increased dramatically to a maximum density of 10.44/km2 in late June. The increase was thought to be due to an influx of seals abandoning unstable ice. The density of seal holes at Freemans Cove (5.92/km2) was much higher than at Aston Bay (2.73/km2). The ratio of holes to the maximum numbers of seals (1.12:1) at Freemans Cove represents a first estimate of this relationship in an apparently stable population.

A TRITIATED WATER EXPERIMENT ON A MALE ATLANTIC WALRUS (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS ROSMARUS)

1992 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen ◽  
David Griffiths ◽  
Ian Gjertz ◽  
Oystein Wiig
Keyword(s):  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus Rosmarus ◽  
Atlantic Walrus

Distribution and abundance of ringed (Phoca hispida) and bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) in western Hudson Bay

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 914-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
N J Lunn ◽  
I Stirling ◽  
S N Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Polar Bear ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Current Estimate ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Erignathus Barbatus ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Western Hudson Bay ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Bearded Seals

We flew a medium-altitude, systematic, strip-transect survey for ringed (Phoca hispida) and bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) over western Hudson Bay in early June 1994 and 1995. The mean density (per square kilometre) of ringed seals hauled out on the ice was four times higher in 1995 (1.690) than in 1994 (0.380). The 1994 survey appeared to underestimate seal abundance because it was flown too late. Ringed seals preferred high ice cover habitat (6 + /8 ice) and, within this habitat, favoured cracking ice and large floes. We found no consistent effect of either wind or cloud cover on habitat preference. We estimated a total of 1980 bearded seals and 140<|>880 ringed seals hauled out on the sea ice in June 1995. A recent review of the relationship between ringed seal and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) populations suggests that a visible population of this size should support a population of up to 1300 polar bears, which is in general agreement with the current estimate of 1250-1300 bears in western Hudson Bay.

The scent of rutting male ringed seals(Phoca hispida)

1992 ◽  
Vol 226 (4) ◽  
pp. 681-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ryg ◽  
Y. Solberg ◽  
C. Lydersen ◽  
T. G. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Ringed Seals

Population parameters of ringed seals (Phoca hispida Schreber, 1775) in the Svalbard area

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Lydersen ◽  
Ian Gjertz
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Ringed Seal ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Phoca Hispida ◽  
Age Class ◽  
Ringed Seals ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sexually Mature

Samples were taken from 284 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in the Svalbard area during April–July 1981 and March–April 1982. The age of 283 seals was determined by reading annuli in the cementum of the canine teeth. The mean age of the males was 11.3 years, and of the females, 14.9 years. Females were found to be significantly older than males. The mean length of sexually mature ringed seals was 128.9 cm for both sexes. The mean weight of adult males and females was 53.5 and 61.4 kg, respectively. Females were found to be significantly heavier than males. The sex ratio was 47.8% males and 52.2% females. Studies of microscopic sections of testis and epididymis from ringed seal males showed that 63, 75, and 80% of 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old animals, respectively, were sexually mature. The weights of testis and epididymis, diameters of tubuli, and the size of testis all showed a marked increase in the 5-year age-class. Macroscopic sections of ovaries from ringed seal females showed that 20, 60, and 80% of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old animals, respectively, were sexually mature. The size of the ovaries showed a marked increase in the 5-year age-class. The ovulation rate of ringed seals from Svalbard was calculated to be 0.91.

Summer foods of Atlantic walrus, Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus, in northern Foxe Basin, Northwest Territories

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1166-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. I. Fisher ◽  
R. E. A. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Benthic Invertebrates ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Foxe Basin ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus ◽  
Serripes Groenlandicus ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Odobenus Rosmarus Rosmarus ◽  
Atlantic Walrus

Stomach contents of Atlantic walrus, Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus, taken by Inuit hunters in northern Foxe Basin in July 1987 and 1988 (n = 105) and September 1988 (n = 2) were examined. In July, 20 of 94 stomachs from immature and adult walrus contained > 5 g of food representing 17 prey taxa, including bivalves, gastropods, holothurians, polychaetes, and brachiopods. The bivalve Mya truncata contributed 81.4% of the total gross energy in the diet, with the bivalve Hiatella arctica, holothurians, and the polychaete Nereis sp. contributing 7.5, 3.5, and 2.8%, respectively. The diets of male and female walrus were similar except that females received a significantly (P < 0.05) greater percentage of gross energy in their diet from H. arctica than did males. Walrus less than 3 years old (n = 11) consumed mostly milk, although some benthic invertebrates were eaten. Analysis of the contents of two stomachs collected in September suggested that walrus may feed more intensively in the fall. Mya truncata was again the predominant prey, contributing 59.9% of total gross energy, with the bivalve Serripes groenlandicus (37.9%) replacing H. arctica (0.3%) as the second most important prey.

scholarly journals Serologic Evidence of Influenza A Infection in Marine Mammals of Arctic Canada

2001 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 820-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Nielsen ◽  
Alfonso Clavijo ◽  
John A. Boughen
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Arctic Canada ◽  
Serologic Evidence
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