The long-nosed fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) in South Australia in 2013–14: abundance, status and trends

摘要: The long-nosed (or New Zealand) fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) breeds in southern Australia and Zealand. Most of the Australian population is South Australia, between Kangaroo Island Eyre Peninsula. Fur populations were heavily exploited by colonial sealers 1801 1830, resulting major reductions. Numbers remained low for 150 years, then slowly built up new colonies established across their presumed former range. Here we present estimates pup abundance at colonies, mostly during 2013–14 breeding season. Long-nosed seals bred from Baudin Rocks south-east to Fenelon north-west. In total, 29 produced 20 431 pups, 3.6 times greater than 1989–90 estimate; increase attributed recovery 19th century overharvesting. estimate leads an 97 200. pups on (49.6%) Neptune Islands (38.6%). identified Williams two small sites Island. increasing trend likely continue over coming decade, primarily expansion establishment colonies.