Numbers of elephant seals at Prince Edward Island, Southern Ocean

A rapid decline of at least 66.3% was recorded in the relatively small breeding population of southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, at Prince Edward Island between 1977 and 2004. The estimated number of births has declined from at least 386 to 130 and the 2004 population size numbers 410 (excluding pups of the year). A few tagged seals from neighbouring Marion Island were found to be present. All were immature and had hauled out for the pending moulting season.