This is one creative way of conducting research: eight sea lions from Australia have been equipped with cameras in order to help scientists uncover things that have never been documented before!
Other than potentially leading to groundbreaking conservation strategies, it’s just an amazing journey to follow the everyday lives of sea lions – we could maybe even call them marine vloggers?
The Mystery Beneath the Ocean Surface
Much of the ocean remains unexplored, especially underwater habitats in Australia. Scientists often face challenges mapping these areas due to the high costs and difficulties associated with traditional methods. However, researchers are now using an innovative approach involving sea lions to uncover these hidden habitats.
Sea Lions as Underwater Videographers
Researchers have equipped endangered Australian sea lions with small, lightweight cameras to record their underwater journeys.
These cameras, mounted on eight female sea lions from Olive Island and Seal Bay colonies, captured nearly 90 hours of footage across more than 300 miles, revealing previously unmapped ocean habitats.
Discovering New Benthic Habitats
The video data collected by the sea lions helped scientists identify six distinct benthic habitats across approximately 2,000 square miles of seabed in southern Australia. These habitats include macroalgae reefs, seagrass meadows, sponge gardens, invertebrate reefs, and bare sandy areas.
The never-before-seen footage isn’t just a delight to watch; it will also make a huge difference in marine conservation.
Benefits of Sea Lion-Mounted Cameras
There are numerous benefits to collaborating with sea lions to explore the seabed.
Firstly, it’s cost-effective and efficient compared to traditional methods like remotely operated underwater vehicles. But perhaps more importantly, an underwater vehicle would cause disruption to the seabed and its inhabitants. Secondly, sea lions can cover large areas quickly, are unaffected by weather conditions, and can access remote and deep habitats that are otherwise difficult to study.
Doing the Most For Its Own Species
The footage obtained from sea lion-mounted cameras not only aids in mapping unexplored areas but also provides crucial information about the habitats of endangered species like the Australian sea lion.
Isn’t it an adorable thought that these sea lions are assisting in the research that in the long run will help their whole species’ survival? In the sea lion community, these eight female lions should go down in history.
Cameras Weighing Less Than 1% Of Their Body Weight
Researchers used a unique method to attach the cameras to the sea lions. The cameras and tracking instruments were glued to neoprene pieces, which were then attached to the sea lions’ fur using resin.
The equipment, weighing less than 1% of the sea lions’ body weight, allowed the animals to move freely. Because of course, whenever any animal is used for research or sampling data, the number one priority is always the safety and comfort of the animal.
Predicting Ocean Habitats with Machine Learning
The researchers utilized machine learning models to predict large habitat areas across southern Australia’s continental shelf. They incorporated 21 years of oceanographic data to improve the accuracy of their predictions, providing a comprehensive map of the seabed habitats.
A Glimpse into Sea Lion Behavior
The video footage offers fascinating insights into sea lion behavior. Researchers observed sea lions navigating underwater tunnels, foraging over seagrass beds, and even hunting with their pups. These observations highlight the intricate knowledge sea lions have of their environment and their diverse feeding habits.
Future Implications
The success of this project demonstrates the potential of using animal-borne cameras for future ocean exploration. By viewing the ocean from a predator’s perspective, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of benthic environments and develop more effective conservation strategies for marine ecosystems.
Sea Lions Help Scientists: Conclusion
By using sea lions to explore the seabed, researchers have opened a new window into the underwater world. Whoever said that science isn’t creative is definitely proved wrong with this innovative (and also very adorable) way of collecting data.
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