Two records of male southern elephant seals, Mirounga leonina, on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay"

Abstract

Two sightings of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) at two different localities on the Atlantic coast of Uruguay are reported. Both specimens were completely moulted subadult males and did not bear any marks or tags. The first sighting occurred on 3 February 2003, ~100m from the ‘Punta José Ignacio’ lighthouse (34°50’S, 54°37’W), José Ignacio, Department of Maldonado. The specimen was resting on a sandy beach (ca. 150m in length) and was observed at a distance of ~10m (Figure 1a). It did not present any sign of injury and was apparently in good health conditions. About half an hour later, the animal moved slowly towards the shoreline and finally entered the sea.