Monomoy gray seal pup

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is a well known haul-out site for gray seals on the Atlantic, with a daily seal average of two to three thousand individuals, year round.  The last few years have also brought a small number of seal pups born during the winter months.  This year the first pup was discovered on December 31, 2006, and a total of three pups were discovered on January 18, 2007.  Currently, refuge staff is assisting doctoral student Kristen Ampela, from City University of New York, with her seal diet study.  The study examines the role seals play in commercial fisheries and marine ecosystems.  Refuge staff have also been working to support the National Marine Fisheries Service with their research on seal population and seal diseases.