Program: Elephant Seals: Amazing in Everyway Location: Fort Flagler State Park Hospital Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/637847738757 “As we approach the colony over the sand dunes, all may appear calm and even sleepy. But there is a certain tension in the air around the harems. Bulls are eyeing and tracking bulls in this Alpha male society. Most noticeable are six types of male behavior --- Alpha, Beta, Stocker, Picket, Juvenile, Don’t Care/Past Caring --- discussed later.” So begins the journey, which includes a discussion of the life cycles of these amazing animals, as well as unusual characteristics and why they are important to current research. Since the late 1800’s when whalers had reduced their number to possibly less than a hundred animals at Guadalupe Island on the west coast of Mexico, the northern elephant seal has rebounded to slowly building colonies northward with seal visits reported in the Salish Sea. Presenter: Rob was Docent Naturalist 12 years at Ano Nuevo State Park, an elephant seal colony near San Francisco, leading groups into the colony during breeding season. He has over 1,000 hours observing the animals and their interactions. Rob also volunteered three years at Point Reyes National Seashore informing visitors on elephant seals and grey whales. He was an education docent leading tours at a marine mammal hospital and cared for harbor seal pups. Friends of Fort Flagler is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoring, preserving, and protecting the natural and historic resources of Fort Flagler State Park. Please support our state park by becoming a member, volunteering, or donating to our organization. To learn more, visit https://friendsoffortflagler.org/.
