End of the Year Summary: 2000

SLEWTHS Project

End of the year summary

2000

Research Projects

Helicobacter study:

In a collaborative research effort between Drs. Jenifer Hurley and Sheri Cole of UCSD, (senior thesis - Kat Foster), the slewths project looked for Helicobacter, the common bacterial cause of stomach ulcers, in our sea lion population. Using voluntary stomach samples from Beaver and Sake and saliva swabs from Nemo and Jonah, cultures were grown by Sheri Cole and identified as a new species of Helicobacter. The project will continue in 2001, characterizing the bacteria and obtaining more samples in order to name the new species of Helicobacter and determine antibiotic resistance.

Whale filming

In June 2000, successful trials were made in the open ocean with Sake swimming next to humpback whales. Sake was taken out approximately two miles from the shore lab where multiple pairs of humpback whales had been sighted. The whales would sound a few times then dive and Sake successfully swam within five feet of the whales while they were at the surface. Unfortunately, due to poor visibility and camera placement, there was no footage of the whales captured on the video despite multiple close encounters. It was concluded that the dorsal camera placement on the sea lions is not optimal, especially for Sake’s swimming pattern.

Heart rate in sea lions and humans

Early training was begun in preparation for a heart rate comparison study next year. Sake was trained to retrieve a biteplate attached near the dive anchor to verify her diving to a specific depth. This will be used in open ocean experiments for comparing diving heart rates of sea lions and world champion human free divers.

Respiratory rate

A project (capstone -Jennifer Ellsworth) has begun comparing the respiratory rates of the animals during specific behaviors both in and outside of training sessions. Respiratory rates are being taken while the animals are swimming, sitting, or lying down both in and out of training sessions. This data can be used as a baseline for future investigations into energetic expenditure.

Camera development

An integrated depth readout is being designed for the video camera that the sea lions wear in the open ocean for testing some time in 2001. (Capstone - Sarah Radloff )

Growth factors studies

A study was begun, using long term project records to look at growth factor variables in sea lions(senior thesis - Beau Richter). Monthly averages of each animal’s food consumption, water temperature and weight will be analyzed for trends and correlations.

Education

Sea Lion Stewards

The Sea Lion Stewards K-12 grade program was developed in cooperation with Save Our Shores, and began with children’s groups in June. The innovative program delivers a strong message of conservation and environmental protection to visitors of all ages. Using Sake, the sea lion, as the ambassador for the oceans, the presentation explains the importance of keeping our beaches clean and recycling as well as gives information on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the research of the SLEWTHS project. Participants then immediately go on a beach clean up to incorporate action with the education. School groups came on an average of twice a month from July through December, with approximately 250 children coming through the program in 2000. In addition to educating the students, slewths volunteers learned to give the speaking parts and/or the animal training parts during the demonstrations, as well as assist with the groups during the beach clean ups.

Classes (taught through CSUMB ESSP department)

- Techniques and Theories is Animal Training (January, 2000) (4 credit)

- Techniques and Theories is Animal Training (July, 2000) (4 credit)

- Working With Marine Mammals (June, 2000) (3 credit)

- Working With Marine Mammals (July 2000) (4 credit).

- 50 students from all over North America participated in the classes

Internships

-50 students participated in one day internships as part of classes

-9 students participated in a weeklong internship, focusing on individual interests

-7 interns with a training emphasis

-1 intern with a medical emphasis

-1 intern with a research emphasis

-18 volunteers worked on the project year long, donating approximately 11,000 hours

Student projects

- Wendy Lewis did a community service learning project for CSUMB, giving educational talks to visiting school groups in March and April of 2000.

- Jennifer Ellsworth worked on a capstone project for CSUMB studying respiration rates of the animals during different behaviors.

- Sarah Radloff worked on a capstone project for CSUMB designing a integrated depth readout on the video camera the sea lions wear.

- Beau Richter worked on a senior thesis for UCSC on sea lion growth factor variables.

- Kat Foster worked on a senior thesis for UCSC studying Helicobacter in sea lions.

- Erin Lovin did an independent study for her education minor through UCSC.

Presentations, Publications, and Proposals

Presentations

- Jenifer Hurley gave an invited presentation to the American Cetacean Society in September 2000, over-viewing the different aspects of the project and it’s research.

- In October 2000, four SLEWTHS staff members attended the IMATA conference in Cancun, Mexico. (Jenifer Hurley, Stefani Skrovan, Traci Fink, and Tritia Hunziker) They presented a poster entitled “The SLEWTHS (Science Learning and Experimenting With The Help of Sea Lions) Project at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories,” which won second place in the poster presentation category.

Publications

Wurts, S.L., Bickley, L.W., and Hurley, J.A. (2000). Timed behaviors: Extended stationing with California sea lions. Marine Mammals: Public Display and Research. 4(1): 1-6.

Hurley, J.A. and Costa, D.P. Standard metabolic rate at the surface and during trained submersions in adult California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Submitted to the Journal of Experimental Biology

Proposals

- An NSF REU program proposal, “Research Experience for Undergraduates Working in Marine Science with Trained California Sea lions,” submitted by the project was denied in January, 2000.

- A proposal to Sea World to have the SLEWTHS sea lions film the sinking of the Yukon battleship in San Diego was originally approved, but subsequently declined, due to logistical difficulties and delays with the ship.

Public Display

In October 2000, the slewths project obtained a class C exhibitor license from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. To date, we have maintained a perfect record of no non-compliances at the Moss Landing Facility.

Media

-Animal movie: In November 2000, The slewths project began filming for the motion picture “Animal.” Working with Steve Berrens of Animals of Distinction, Sake was transported to a temporary facility at the Barrens’ ranch in the hills above Los Angeles. During the 9-day trip Sake practiced working at remote locations from a small, mobile enclosure. The film has provided considerable funding for SLEWTHS as well as valuable experience for SLEWTHS staff and animals.

- Article in the Monterey Herald, September 13, 2000

- Article in California State University Extended University Annual Report, 1998-2000

- Article in San Jose State University newsletter, Washington Square, v8,n2, winter 2000.

Facilities

New Staff Trailer

The old staff trailer was replaced in July with a new trailer (which used to be the caretaker’s trailer from the Salinas campus.) The old staff trailer was turned into extra storage space pending its removal.

Shade Screens

In May and June shade screens were created for M1 and M2. The screens were put up in an attempt to help the animals’ eyesight by cutting down on direct sunlight. They were installed on posts 2 feet above the fences on adjustable ropes. The screens were left in place throughout the summer and fall, and removed in November to prevent damage from winter winds and storms. The screens are fairly easy to remove and install, and will be put back up in the spring.

Decking

In December the decking in of the back and side compound was completed. Funded by an anonymous grant to Save Our Shores, the remainder of the compound was decked over, eliminating sand and many uneven areas and creating a nice public viewing education area. The decks were constructed in large pieces, which can be removed for access to the harbor dredge pipes below.

Other

- installed black matting and skid strips on the M1 ramp

- solid wooden gates were installed to prevent animal access behind M2and M3, and to be able to close off the front compound from the back

- metal corner guards were installed to protect wooden doors and fence posts in the enclosures from being chewed

- a safety latch was added to lock the main compound door from the inside while animals are in the compound

- the office roof was re-coated with tar

Animals

Beaver

- Learned Put

- Learned Porpoise

- Learned Water Spirals

- Worked on verbal only SD’s

- Began learning Vogue

- Began learning Sneeze

- Began learning Open Eyes

- Began learning Balance

Sake

- Learned Shoulder target

- Learned Mark

- Learned Focus

- Learned Put

- Learned Plate retrieval

- Learned to honk a horn

- Learned open mouth through cage bars on no tactile SD

- Learned to drop a ball on SD

- Began learning Vogue

- Began learning Spin Jump

Nemo

- Learned Salute

- Learned Bark

- Learned Wave

- Learned Diving (up to 1:00)

- Finished transmitter desense on the harness and working on tether desense

- Started Stomach tube training

- Started second person desense

- Started sudden touching desense

- Started desensitization of people in the water

- Began going on trips outside the compound

- Began two animal one trainer work inside

- Began learning Handstand

- Began learning Flip

- Began learning Sail

Jonah

- Learned Salute

- Learned Diving (up to 45 seconds)

- Learned Heeling

- Finished Rollover

- Finished Rear flippers