Call out for sea lion snaps in the name of science
It's likely that if you have spent any time exploring Western Australia's coastline and offshore islands, you might have come across a lounging sea lion or two. Well, why not take a photo?
A research group from Curtin University have created The Whisker Patrol, a new initiative aiming to collect important data about sea lions.
The scientists behind the project believe that sea lions' whiskers may be similar to human fingerprints, and could help to identify different species and migration patterns.
Dr Chanda Salgado Kent is a senior research fellow at Curtin's Centre for Marine Science and Technology, and part of the team.
"If we can identify individuals, then we actually have a capacity to get accurate population estimates," she explains.
The group are asking for members of the public to send in any photos they may have of sea lions to assist with their research.
Sea lions are currently endangered, and with the photographs, the team will be able to work on strategies to improve their lifespan.
"We can have a more powerful tool, and that is the community-collected citizen science information to feed back into ecology and conservation," says Dr Salgado Kent.
For members of the public who do plan to take a photo or two in their travels, be aware that sea lions can be territorial, though they are generally harmless.
"They are wild animals. Certainly if they do feel disturbed or threatened, they may respond," says Dr Salgado Kent.
The Department of Parks and Wildlife advise staying 5-10 metres away from the animals when taking a photo.
The Whisker Patrol team are hoping to collect enough data to better understand the large, unique animals.
The same type of research has previously been conducted on both lions and polar bears.
To submit photos to The Whisker Patrol, head to their website.
Click the audio link above to hear the full interview with Dr Chandra Salgado Kent.
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