The satellite tagged common seals are still sending signals and providing some very useful data that will help us understand how they use the Solent area and help us provide better protection. The tags will continue to transmit until sometime in August when the seals moult and the tags will detach. (See earlier posts)
The tagged seals provided the basis for another course for the Gifted and Talented Programme in West Sussex. This course features Sussex Sea Mammals and as usual we used the life sized inflatable dolphin.
(Seal behaviour activity)
The pupils were looking for data about how the seals used the area that could be used to help protect them. The pupils discovered that the 5 tagged seals moved around quite differently using different areas that overlapped. They also discovered two possible haul out areas and two possible foraging areas
This information was then used by the pupils to decide what information we would need to know about seal in order to protect them.
They watched a presentation on how and why we tagged the seals and used all this information to help analyse the movements of the seals, displayed on Google Earth. The pupils were provided with a sheet of questions to help and guide them with this analysis.
The pupils were looking for data about how the seals used the area that could be used to help protect them. The pupils discovered that the 5 tagged seals moved around quite differently using different areas that overlapped. They also discovered two possible haul out areas and two possible foraging areas
We also investigated the threats to common seals in the UK, over 50% of the UK population has declined in recent years. As part of this discussion the pupils undertook a food web activity used to explain bioaccumilation - how pollutants build up and are transported to top predators through food chains.
1 comment:
Hi,
I am trying to purchase a life size inflatable dolphin for rhe SeaWorld San Diego Education Department.
So far the nicest I have found look very simialr to the one posted on your blog.
My problem is that the only vendors I can find are wholoesalers in Hong Cong with a 500 minimum order.
Do you know where the one in your photos was purchased?
Thanks,
Travis Hughes
SWSD Education Dept
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