Sea lions to participate in research sessions

Three Patagonian sea lions will participate in public research sessions at the Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory as Mote’s “Sea Lions: On the Water’s Edge” comes to an end.

Public research sessions will take place at 10 a.m. and noon Tuesday, April 23, and Monday, April 29, before the exhibit ends May 1.

During the research sessions, a Mote researcher will fit a sea lion with a special harness to monitor its heart rate, then guide the sea lion to swim beneath a dome to collect data on its respiration.

The information could be used to improve knowledge of sea lion health in human care and in the rehabilitation of stranded sea lions.

Stella, one of the sea lions in the exhibit, may have a heart issue. Bu regularly measuring her heart rate, caregivers can monitor her health and proactively administer treatments.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].