Elephant Seals Can Be Scientists Too

Elephant seals collect data where ships rarely can. In this South Pole crossover, Dr. Clive McMahon explains how animal-borne sensors turn deep-diving southern elephant seals into partners in Southern Ocean monitoring. The tags collect temperature, salinity, depth, and ocean productivity data, especially during the Antarctic winter. The episode also explores seal behavior, population decline, Antarctic Bottom Water, climate monitoring, and how hard-to-reach observations improve oceanography and weather forecastingIf you enjoy this episode, you can find more from South Pole, a series dedicated to the science of Antarctica, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or all major platforms.Support our science communication directly by donating to Pine Forest Media or directly on PayPalEpisode Guest: Dr. Clive McMahonReview the research publication discussed in the episode hereVisit Dr. McMahon’s publications on Google Scholar Visit the website of the Sydney Institute of Marine SciencesEpisode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media WebsiteFollow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmediaHosted, produced, written, and edited by Clark Marchese Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong. Theme music by Nela RuizFind some more Pine Forest Media podcasts belowListen to Oceanography on Spotify or Apple PodcastsListen to Plastic Podcast on Spotify or Apple PodcastsListen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.