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Article: For now, fortune favours the seals.(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Ecos
- Article date:
- January 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 CSIRO Publishing. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The changing fortunes of Australia's rare fur seals and sea lions is highlighting the precarious juggling act required of biologists when they try to protect different species occupying the same habitats.
During the past few decades, marine biologists have managed to pull fur seals back from the brink of extinction, but now have to balance the success of this operation with its possible impact on the equally rare Australian sea lions.
Fur seal numbers are increasing at a time when the food supply they share with sea lions -- fish and squid -- appears to be diminishing and sea lion numbers have mysteriously stalled. Australian sea lions are unique and ...