For the third consecutive year, Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s veterinarian, Dr. Maria Spriggs, travelled to Alaska’s North Slope, a few miles from the Arctic Ocean, to participate in the Spectacled Eider research project.
Spectacled Eiders are a medium-sized sea duck that nest in Russia and Alaska. Between 1952 and 1993, the Spectacled Eider population declined 96%. Currently, a research project is being conducted using satellite telemetry to analyze the movement, distribution, and habitat of the Spectacled Eiders in Alaska. This is critical information for the management and conservation of the species.
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Dr. Spriggs joined the project’s leader, Matthew Sexson from the USGS, as well as Gwen Myers, DVM from the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, biologists Callie Gesmundo and Deb Nigro, and helicopter pilot Keelan McNulty. The biologists flew in the helicopter every day to locate a female spectacled eider and her brood. They used mist nets to capture juvenile eiders just before they fledge, or take their first flight. Dr. Spriggs and Dr. Myers would then anesthetize the birds and place the satellite transmitters. The biologists collected data such as wing length and weight and feather and toenail samples. Then the team flew the eiders back to release them on a pond. Data obtained from the satellite transmitters will be collected over the next 2 years, which is the battery life of the device.
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| Conditions on the Alaskan tundra were unpredictable. Fog and wind delayed flying in the mornings, but because of the long days (sunset not being until midnight), the team was able to work until late in the day. Dr. Spriggs is very pleased to have taken part in the Spectacled Eider research project, and says: “This project would not be possible without veterinary assistance. The support of Mesker Park Zoo in providing veterinary support is a great example of zoos contributing to conservation in situ.” |
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Current satellite images indicate that the eiders are doing well and soon will migrate to the moulting grounds. From there, they will overwinter just south of St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. |
A complete summary and current satellite images can be found at: http://alaska.usgs.gov/science/biology/seaducks/spei/index.php
January 2012 - Update! Data from this project is currently being used by the US Fish & Wildlife agency to guide refueling ships for Alaska around the eider’s wintering area.
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3067
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/threatened-alaska-sea-ducks-protected-tanker-plows-through-bering-sea-ice
BBC's Saving Species Episode 17 interview about the Spectacled Eider project can be found at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014fd21
BBC's Saving Species Episode 18 interview about the Spectacled Eider project can be found at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b014pzzq
BBC's Saving Species Episode 19 interview about the Spectacled Eider project can be found at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0150p5s
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