Elephant Seals Help Researchers Record Marine Life
Scientists used acoustic tags on southern elephant seals to capture whale and dolphin sounds between 2017 and 2020.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Wildlife
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Between 2017 and 2020, researchers equipped nine female southern elephant seals with acoustic tags to record whale and dolphin vocalizations in the Southern Ocean. The study utilizes the seals' natural behavior to monitor remote maritime regions difficult for human researchers to access.
Why it matters
Using animals as autonomous researchers provides a unique way to study isolated ocean environments. The seals' habit of sleeping while drifting at sea significantly reduces ambient noise, allowing for clearer recordings of whale and dolphin calls.
Researchers used a 2.5m-long tube to safely administer anaesthetic to the nine female seals during the tagging process. These seals are known to complete approximately 60 dives per day while navigating their remote habitat.
The players
Centre of Biological Studies Chize
This French research organization manages the study of southern elephant seals in the Southern Ocean.
The details
The team attached acoustic tags to the seals using specialized straps and a glue-on base while the animals were unconscious. The recordings successfully captured diverse vocalizations from humpback, blue, fin, and sperm whales, as well as various dolphin species.
Timeline
Researchers fitted acoustic tags to nine elephant seals between 2017 and 2020.
Culture Shift
This study reflects a growing movement in ecological research toward leveraging bio-logging to bridge gaps in data collection. By utilizing the Centre of Biological Studies Chize passive acoustic monitoring program, researchers are moving away from traditional vessel-based observations.
This research provides deeper insight into the migratory and vocalization patterns of marine mammals, which can inform global conservation strategies. Adopting these technologies allows for more efficient monitoring of remote oceanic areas without requiring constant human presence.
The takeaway
This project highlights how biological data can be gathered through non-invasive observation of marine animals in their natural habitats. Researchers intend to expand the scope of this project by increasing the number of equipped seals in future years.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest Wildlife conservation efforts around the globe.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Discover Wildlife.
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