Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 01/08/2011 - 20:45

How did you feel when you saw the seal captured in the net? Your student, Mattan Gazit

Anne Marie Wotkyns

Hi Mattan!I hope you and the rest of our class have been enjoying reading my journal entries and seeing the pictures from this amazing expedition! I will have so much more to share when I return to class in about 12-14 days.
When I saw the seal being captured by the seal research team, I was excited for the seal team because this was the first Ross seal they had been able to study. I knew they were treating the animal very carefully and had the seal's best interest in mind. Because so little research has been done on these animals, just one seal can give scientists a huge amount of information. That information can help scientists keep these seals and other Antarctic animals safe and healthy by learning about their feeding habits and lifestyles. It can also help politicians and lawmakers write legislation and laws to keep Antarctica and its animals safe from pollution and exploitation.
When the team was done, I saw the seal wriggle away and go back to snoozing on the ice, so I don't think he was too bothered. Later, I will share a website where you can follow the movements of 4 Ross seals that the team glued radio transmitters on.
Keep reading the journals - see you soon!

Anonymous

Dear Ms.Wotkyns,Thank you so much for answering me!
When I read your journal to my family, my mom heard that you are eating
split pea soup each Thursday for dinner, so today she made the soup
for dinner(even though it is Sunday). It was delicious!
sincerely,
Mattan

Anne Marie Wotkyns

Hi Matan! I'm glad you like the pea soup. It's my last Thursday night on board tonight - so I'm looking forward to having it for the last time! In Swedish, the name for it is artsoppa - art means pea and soppa means soup.I'm still keeping my eyes open for a meteorite to take a picture of for you!
Have a good week and 3 day weekend - I'll see you all soon!

Anonymous

How would you feel when a seal is captured in a net. Other wise Ms. Wotkyns,and her team were meant to test the seal because,maybe the seal was sick. Sincerely,
Your Friend David M.