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The health status of pinniped populations is investigated in the two resident species of fur seals and sea lions inhabiting the Punta San Juan reserve: South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) and sea lions (Otaria flavescens).
The information being collected is a unique source to pinpoint the referential parameters that serve as indicators of the health status of pinniped populations living in Punta San Juan (eg. White and red blood cell counts, body temperature, bacterial flora, eye pressure levels, etc.). This way, if there is any mortality from emerging diseases, we can identify what parameters are being affected. Research also includes screening of diseases that typically affect these species worldwide are present or not these populations of pinnipeds (eg. bruselosis, morbillivirus, canine distemper virus, etc.).
Since 2009, fieldwork is conducted on an annual basis in collaboration with specialists in veterinary care of marine mammals, at Punta San Juan. A wide variety of samples are collected from the animals in order to be able to diagnose or discard different possible emerging diseases. This work will generate basal reference values based on population health of pinnipeds, which will then be available to be used to monitor the health of these species in the short and long term. This project works with fur seals since 2009 and then sea lions from 2011.