Page 7 - Gateways_2017_Summer

SCIENCE Deadly Blooms

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) along California’s coast—resulting from

an excess of nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into the ocean—have

caused health problems for the area’s sea lions and other marine mammals. Fish and

plankton eat polluted algae, then marine mammals consume the fish and plankton.

Several studies have revealed reproductive failure and chronic neurological disease in

mammals, as well as large-scale deaths attributed to exposure to the algae.

The Chicago Zoological Society leads a marine animal study and conservation

effort in the protected Punta San Juan reserve, located on Peru’s western coast. The

ecosystem closely mirrors that of California’s coast, so our conservation scientists were

concerned that harmful algae may threaten fur seals and sea lions living at Punta San Susana Cárdenas-Alayza holds a fur seal pup that is to be
examined.
Juan. A group of scientists—including the Society’s vice president of clinical medicine,

Dr. Mike Adkesson, and Punta San Juan program director Susana Cárdenas-Alayza—

conducted a benchmark study to find out more. Their report recently was published in Disney Hero

the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s journal, Marine Mammal Science. Susana Cárdenas-Alayza, a AWARD

The research team tested the toxicity levels of urine, feces, and stomach contents co-author of the study on the

of 64 Peruvian fur seals and South American sea lions. Findings indicated that while effects of harmful algal blooms at

many of the pinnipeds had been exposed to toxicity, the levels were relatively low. Punta San Juan (left), was recently named one of

These findings are just the beginning, though. Our field programs allow us to continue the prestigious 2016 Disney Conservation Heroes.

monitoring these populations to evaluate alterations that may occur over time or with The award recognizes Cárdenas-Alayza’s tireless

changing environmental conditions. dedication to the marine animal conservation

Many of the animals in the study are tagged with satellite-linked transmitters, project at Punta San Juan and attracts recogni-

giving the researchers valuable data on where the animals go. By monitoring their tion to the Chicago Zoological Society’s import-

foraging behavior, the team can determine where the animals have most likely come ant conservation and education programs.

in contact with any harmful algae, allowing for the development of more robust Cárdenas-Alayza began studying fur seals in

conservation strategies. the Punta San Juan area as a university student.

Satellite imagery of the Pacific Ocean coastline of North America and Today, she leads the Society’s program to research
Baja Mexico reveals large areas of algal blooms, indicated here as green
swirls. Image courtesy of NASA. and monitor Peru’s coastal wildlife and recruit

community support for conservation. Her team

has also raised local and federal government

SEATTLE awareness of the threats facing Punta San Juan’s

SAN FRANCISCO marine animals and created a platform for
LOS ANGELES
scientific field programs, maximizing their impact

in guiding conservation policies for imperiled

penguins, fur seals, and sea lions.

The Disney Conservation Fund supports

organizations working to reverse the decline

of threatened species while increasing the

time kids and families spend in nature. The

Disney Conservation Hero award honors

Pacific Ocean conservationists who have gone above and

beyond, demonstrating passion, courage, and

tenacity in tackling some of the planet’s most

difficult challenges.

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