Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 10/20/2008 - 15:59
Forums
Oden Antarctic Expedition 08

Are you really going to wrestle Tiger Seals?  If you are how are you going to use that net?  Finally what happens to a compass when you bring it down to the South Pole (Besides it getting really cold)?  

 

Ryan Sirotkin 

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 20:08

Jeff Peneston

Ryan,
I am going to assist the Swedish scientists who are experts at capturing the seals.  The net is only big enough to cover the seal and it is held tight to the animal with 2 wooded poles.  The seals are never harmed and they are released after a few minutes.
"Wrestle tiger seals?"  The team hopes to collect virus data from 200 seals and most of them will be crabeater seals.  They said that they will also collect data from the Weddell and Ross seals if they see any.  I asked if they will try to capture any of the big leopard seals.  These are the 900-pound top predators with mouths as big as a polar bear's and just as full of teeth! The Swedish expert said they would use the net to capture leopard seals too.  I think I will just take the pictures when they go for the leopard seals.  
I really don't know what happens to a compass near Antarctica.  I will bring one with me and you can ask me the question in December when I am down there.
take care,
Jeff