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Why do some Weddell seal moms not return to where they were born to have their own pups? This tendency to return home to give birth is called “philopatry”, and is observed in numerous species of birds, reptiles, fish and mammals. Weddell seal population scientists are learning more about philopatry in Weddell seals as part of a 50 year study of the Weddell seals of Erebus Bay, Antarctica. Join project lead scientist Prof. Jay Rotella, evolutionary biologist Dr. Nancy Chen and population genomicist Dr. Elizabeth Flesch in this short science story video about when “going home” gets complicated for the Weddell seals of Antarctica. This video is dedicated to our founding scientist, Prof. Emeritus Dr. Don Siniff (1935-2026). Video footage produced by numerous members of the project including PhD candidate Parker Levinson, Dr. Jay Rotella and Sophia Rotella, with editing by project multimedia specialist Mary Lynn Price. The Erebus Bay Weddell seal Population Study is funded by the National Science Foundation, with support from the US Antarctic Program.
Directed by Mary Lynn Price (USA)