SLEWTHS Project
End of the year summary
2002
Research
Helicobacter study:
SLEWTHS arranged a new collaboration with the prestigious Dr. James Fox’s
laboratory at MIT. Dr. Fox has described and discovered more species of Helicobacter
than anyone else in the world. We agreed to collaborate on developing a methodology
for sampling Helicobacter in pinnipeds and describing the sea lion Helicobacter type, and
ultimately antibiotic resistance testing to develop a treatment. The first set of fecal and
gastric samples for this new collaboration began in March using voluntary samples on
our 4 sea lions. The initial results have isolated a novel species of the bacteria (by both
culture and PCR) and determined an appropriate methodology for sampling. Future work
will include trials on wild stranded animals at the MMC. This work was presented as a
poster at the annual IMATA conference and as a capstone project for Wendy Lewis at
CSUMB.
Affects of instrumentation on transport cost
Amber Stephens began work on a project evaluating the effects of instrumentation
(harness, harness with camera, and harness with EKG) on a diving CA sea lions transit
time to and from depth in the ocean in comparison to an uninstrumented condition. This
year these conditions were successfully tested at 5m, 15m, 27m, and 40m. The training
methodology was presented at the IMATA conference in Nov, and the work constituted
the capstone project for Amber at CSUMB. Future trials will be conducted in the
following year to elucidate more of the relevant variables to the cost of transport while
instrumented.
Camera development
Working with Dr. Steve Moore at CSUMB, Allison Reesh continued the
development of integrated depth circuitry into a digital camera for use with sea lions
diving at sea. We expect a reliable and robust real time depth read-out with video to be
forth coming from these efforts next year.
Stomach Temperature study
In collaboration with Dan Costa a Professor of Biology from UCSC and his
graduate student Carey Kuhn, we began collecting data on the stomach temperature
changes associated with different masses of food consumed. We successfully completed a
complete set of trials with one sea lion (Sake) and partially completed with another. In
the coming year we will investigate the affects of ambient temperature on the stomach
temperature to continue to build a calibration for the use of this technique in studying
food consumption in the wild. And we will complete the remaining trials with the second
animal (Beaver).
Publications, Presentations, and Proposals
Publications
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Fish, F., Hurley, J.A., and Costa, D.P. (in press) Aquatic maneuverability by the sea
lion, Zalophus californianus. Jour. Exp. Biol.
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Harper, C.G., Xu, S., Rogers, A.B., Feng, Y., Shen, Z., Taylor, N.S., Dewhirst, F.E.,
Paster, B.J., Miller, M., Hurley, J.A. and Fox, J.G.. (In review) Isolation and
Characterization of Novel Helicobacter spp. from the gastric mucosa of harp seals,
Phoca groenlandica. J. Clin. Micribiol.
Presentations and conference participation
-Beau Richter represented the project at the 2nd annual Animal Behavioral Management
Association meeting and was honored to serve as one of the judges for the presentations.
-The SLEWTHS staff presented 25 sea lion natural history and Monterey Bay Marine
Sanctuary public outreach demonstrations for education days and the general public
during the SC county fair Sept. 12-15.
-We created 3 educational posters for use in our public programs covering how we care
for the sea lions, sea lion natural history, and marine mammals of the Monterey Bay.
-Presented a poster for the IMATA conference in Nov. entitled “ Stomach ulcers in
marine mammals”
-Presented a formal presentation at IMATA entitled “ The effects of instrumentation on a
diving sea lion: The advantages of being naked”
-Jenifer Hurley served on the abstract review committee for IMATA
-Stefani Skrovan served as a moderator for the IMATA conference
-Amber Stephens presented her capstone work at CSUMB in May
-Wendy Lewis presented her capstone work at CSUMB in Dec
Proposals
-Submitted a Sea Grant proposal for stomach temperature calibration with Carey Kuhn
and Dan Costa
-Submitted a proposal to LL Bean Inc. to fund the Sea Lion Stewards program.
-6/02 submitted a new proposal for continued funding of Helicobacter research from
OWCN entitled “Gastric disease in stranded pinnipeds: Evaluating the prevalence and
treatment of a novel helicobacter species” this grant was funded.
-Submitted a proposal to the Ittleson Foundation to support the Sea Lion Stewards
environmental outreach program.
-Submitted a “Whale Tail” proposal to the CA Costal Commission in order to fund the
Sea Lion Stewards environmental outreach program.
-Modified a comprehensive NMFS permit proposal to cover work for the next five years
and a change in status to include public display educational activities.
Education/Public Outreach
Sea Lion Stewards Environmental Outreach Program and Beach clean-up activities
- Conducted 22 Sea Lion Stewards half-day programs for 610 students (grades K-12)
and 108 adults who collected over 500 lbs of garbage from our local beach in the
process.
- Earth Day April 21, the project had an open house and special beach clean up for past
program participants. 120 people attended the successful event including the
president of CSUMB.
- International Beach Clean-up Day (September 21) SLEWTHS acted as beach captain
for Moss Landing and host to over 75 people cleaning up over 350 lbs of trash and
recycling.
Tours
4/26/02 Conducted a tour and demonstration for SJSU foundation employees
6/21/02 Conducted a demonstration and beach-clean-up requested by MLML Friends for
Salinas youth leadership institute
7/12/02 Conducted a demonstration and beach-clean-up requested by MLML Friends for
Salinas youth leadership institute
7/30/02 Conducted a tour and demonstration for the SJSU Provost and Dean and the
Superintendent of schools for Santa Clara Valley
10/25/02 Conducted a tour and demonstration for 50 students visiting from EATM,
Moorpark College
10/25/02 Conducted a tour and demonstration for the ESSP, CSUMB Marine Biology
class
10/30/02 Conducted a tour and demonstration for the SJSU Provost and educators
through K. Coale
11/02/02 Conducted 3 demonstrations for the Center for Talented Youth, John Hopkins
University in collaboration with Dr. Simona Bartl and MLML
Classes
- 52 undergraduate students attended Cal state classes taught by the project
-Working With Marine Mammals and Techniques and Theories of Animal Training were
each taught as intensive immersion classes in July through CSUMB extended education.
36 students attended from the all over the US, Canada, and Europe.
-The Techniques and Theories of Training class was taught for the first time during the
fall semester for both CSUMB and MLML (16 students)
Internships
- 52 day-long internships for students were conducted
- 11 week-long internships were also provided.
- 8 certificates were earned by participants who successfully completed both classes
and a weeklong internship.
Student projects
- Chrissy Kane a UCSC student did an independent study project for Dan Costa on
stomach temperature for the Winter 2002 quarter.
- Jamie Mullins also a UCSC student did an independent study project for Dan Costa in
the Spring 2002 quarter entitled “Effects of Sea Surface Temperature on the Stomach
Temperature in California sea lion.”
- Wendy Lewis completed her capstone project entitled “Investing the presence of a
novel Helicobacter species in Pinnipeds: Relevance and treatment implications for
oiled wildlife.”
- Carrie Michaelis researched a possible capstone thesis on lactic acid accumulation
with diving in sea lions
- Allison Reesh completed the first stage of her capstone work developing integrated
depth circuitry for the underwater video camera.
- Gina Paolini and Shannon Weinstein both did their service learning internships with
the project through their work in beach clean-up organization and the SC county fair.
Miscellaneous
-JH was invited to serve on the TAG group for AZA for California sea lions and to assist
in the development of standards of care for sea lions for the captive industry.
-We entered the photo art contest at the SC county fair and won first place in best use of
the theme of the fair “The Star Spangled Fair”for a photo of a sea lion saluting in front of
the flag.
Media
- VM Productions (a French documentary company) completed a documentary, Apnea,
about the sea lion heart rate project in 2001. The completed one-hour documentary
aired January 19. Nova bought the rights to the documentary in the U.S.
- The project was featured in an article in "l'actu" a French kids magazine about the
documentary about apnea divers with Loic Leferme and Pierre Frola. called "Les
hommes poissons".
- The project was featured in an article entitled “Bending the rules”. (2002) In this
Issue: Highlights from the Journal of Experimental Biology 2001. The Company of
Biologist Limited. Cambridge, UK. Pp.49.
- Jenifer and staff were interviewed 3/22/02 for a radio program on KAZU which aired
in May covering institutions doing marine mammal research in the Monterey Bay.
- In early April, Stefani co-authored an article about our sea lion stewards program,
which was published in the Spring 2002 issue of Sanctuary Watch Magazine.
- In August the project was featured in Savvy Up magazine for Natural Horsemanship
trainers.
- Dan Moschetti from Newsradio 1460AM interviewed Heather Yeager from our staff
regarding our programs that aired live on September 13 at 3:10pm.
- In early September, our program was featured in several local newspaper articles
about the SC county fair, including the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Register
Pajaronian.
- September 16-18 worked with National Geographic Magazine and Wild Things on a
still shot for the April 2003 edition for an article on the evolution of mammals.
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Dr. Hurley collaborated with Dave Lichman in August to develop a comparative
video on the training and behavioral differences between prey animals (horses) and
predators (sea lions). The Parelli organization is going to market the video called
“The Challenge” nationwide next year.
Shot a new introduction and segue shots for National Geographic re-airing the
“Diving With Seals” show about our project. Host Boyd Matson came to participate
in the filming that aired national on MSNBC Nov. 3, 2002
The project was featured in an article about our Sea Lion Stewards program in the
Marina Hears (Health, Education, Arts, Recreation, and Safety) Newsletter, Oct.
2002.
The project was featured in an article in the Sacramento Bee Nov 6, 2002 regarding
sea lions hunting in rivers. The reporter consulted with Jenifer as a sea lion expert.
Two student projects (spring and fall) for CSUMB technology majors produced short
documentaries about the project that aired locally on the CSUMB TV Channel.
Animal Training and Research, International
 Jen and Stef founded their own business partnership (ATR International), registered a
fictitious name, and obtained a seller’s permit, employer identification number, and
APHIS permit.
Facilities
Projects
- Reepoxyed the seams of M1 pool so that they are matching grey, and more reinforced
(1/02)
- Found that Ajax removed the glue stains in the fish kitchen from construction, and
finally was able to totally clean the glue stains making a totally white fish kitchen.
(2/02)
- Constructed a new set of stairs between the fish kitchen and M2 pool to enable easy
access to the back drains (3/02)
- Replaced the M1/2 fence that had gotten old (5/02)
- Re-fiberglassed old M3 pool so it would be whole and usable again (8/02)
Acquisitions
-Purchased two used freezers and sanded and repainted them for endurance. (2/02)
-A centrifuge was donated to spin down blood samples (2/02)
-An older but functional computer was donated and installed in the staff trailer.
-O’neill wetsuits donated 6 new pairs of surf booties for the project (3/02)
-A stomach pump for sampling was obtained. (5/02)
-Built a floating island for the sea lions to play on (5/02)
-Purchased a digital still camera and hook-ups for computer download (7/02)
-Purchased a canopy for education area in case of rain and for shade (7/02)
-Purchased a new incubator for growing water quality tests and helicobacter cultures
(7/02)
-Several small platforms were built and donated for the sea lions to use as a stage when
away from home (8/02)
-Finally purchased a freight scale to weigh the sea lions with accuracy! (12/02)
-Purchased a new wet/dry vacuum for pool cleaning (12/02)
Animals
Behaviors started but not completed this year are called working on, behaviors started and
completed this year are called learned, and behaviors started in a previous year and
finished this year are called finished.
Beaver
-
Finished balance
Working on handstand
Working on verbal only SD’s
Learned shoulder target
Started moon
Sake
- Working on Follow-me
- Finished Circle
- Working on Seal
- Learned Tongue
- Started Not
- Started clap on ground
- Learned left salute
Nemo
- Finished Look
- Finished Dance
- Finished Sail
- Finished Handstand
- Working on extensive tether training
- Learned bounce
- Learned tandem kiss
- Learned backup
- Started pillar
- Learned clap
- Started balance
- Started ocean/remote work
- Started transport training
- Learned recall
- Learned spin
- Learned kiss (person)
Jonah
- Working on Flip
- Finished Look
- Working on Dance
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Working on Sail
Working on Extensive tether training
Finished Put
Learned tumble
Learned spin
Started handstand
Started pillar
Learned tandem kiss
Started clap
Started balance
Started slap
Staff
6 new people were hired into Animal Care
(Genievive del Mundo, Kristi Leikvol, Erin Collins, Edward Diaz, Jackie Rifkin, Amanda Werth)
12 people left the project after an average longevity of 1.6 years
(Jamie Goodis (0.8 years) Kate Gilligan (2.8years) Neil Beadle (0.3) Chrissy Kane (1 yr) Mea
Cottman (0.5 years) Beau Richter (4 years) Shannon Walsh (0.5years) Alicia Vieira (.6 years)
Genievive del Mundo (.25 year) Sarah Radloff (3.3 years) Erin Lovin (4.6 years) Amanda Werth
(.2 years)
2 people became Senior Animal Care
(Heather Edwards, Jamie Mullens)
4 people became Assistant Trainers
(Carrie Michaelis, Gina Paolini, Heather Edwards, Jamie Mullens)
3 people became Trainers
(Allison Reesh, Heather Yeager, Shannon Weinstein)
3 people became Senior Trainers
(Sarah Radloff, Amber Stephens)