Spatially explicit detection of predation on individual pinnipeds from implanted post-mortem satellite data transmitters

摘要: To directly determine mortality and predation in the endangered western Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus, we deployed implanted, satellite-linked post-mortem data transmitters 21 juveniles. Data recovered from 4 of 5 detected mortalities exhibited precipitous drops ambient temperatures followed by immediate onset transmissions (N = 3), or gradual cooling delayed 1). Precipitous drop sets were classified as acute death at trauma. A model to estimate algor mortis (body cooling) a function mass conditions was vali- dated through simulations on carcasses. Model outputs suggest that rate masses can be qualitatively distinguished if well outside prediction uncertainties. The observed best described modeled one-sixth animal's release, supporting classification fourth event This suggests least likely represent deaths sea, probably due predation. We conclude events with pre- dation, but transmission should reviewed case-by-case basis. In 3 cases provided both ante-mortem locations external implanted transmitters, respectively, these differed less than 17 km, illustrating this technique provides spatially explicit individual lions.