Endangered Australian Sea Lions at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Contribute to Groundbreaking Research
February 20, 2025
News
Endangered Australian Sea Lions at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Contribute to Groundbreaking Research
The Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is proud to share that the endangered Australian Sea Lions in our care have played a key role in an exciting new scientific study. The research, published by Morgenthal et al. (2024) in Marine Mammal Science, explores the unique structure and function of seal whiskers, also known as vibrissae.
Understanding Seal Whiskers
Seals rely on their whiskers to detect vibrations in the water, helping them locate food and evade predators—even in complete darkness. This new study has revealed that eared seals, including Australian Sea Lions (Neophoca cinerea), as well as walruses, possess smooth whiskers, while most true seals have wavy ones. Additionally, research has shown that seals’ whiskers are ten times more sensitive than those of land animals, making them remarkable sensory tools.
A Significant Contribution
The rare Australian Sea Lions at Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary contributed to this discovery through detailed images of their muzzles. These findings highlight the crucial role that wildlife in human care can play in advancing our understanding of species and their ecosystems.
Read the Full Study
For those interested in learning more about this fascinating research, the full study is available online: Characterization of Pinniped Vibrissal Type and Number – Morgenthal – Marine Mammal Science – Wiley Online Library.
Supporting Wildlife Research
Every visit and donation to the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary helps support important research like this, contributing to the conservation and understanding of endangered species. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!
