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- Hi, my name is Caitlin Bartlett,

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I am currently a wild animal
keeper here at the WCS's

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New York Aquarium.

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So here at the New York Aquarium,

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working with the variety of
species that we have here,

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our job as animal keepers
is to help maintain

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and care for the animals here.

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This work is very important
because it helps us learn

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and understand about the
animals in our care who serve

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as ambassadors for
their wild counterparts.

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We currently have six harbor
seals that participate

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in an extensive training
program and Dr. Kopelman's study

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helps us identify behaviors
that they can demonstrate

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out in the wild.

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Harbor seals are a marine mammal

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and they can spend 50% of
their time in the water

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and 50% of their time on land.

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When they typically come out to rest,

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socialize with other animals

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or even give birth to their young.

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They will typically
find a nice sandy beach

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or rocky island to haul out on.

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When they do haul out to rest,

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they'll typically take the form

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of a banana pose where their
head will be up in the air

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and their flippers up in the air as well,

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so they do make a banana like shape

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and this is to help warm up their head

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and flippers to help keep them
out of any splashing water

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that might come up around them.

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Prey that harbor seals tend to search for

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include menhaden, octopus
and winter flounder.

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Harbor seals prey tend to
avoid rough or turbid waters,

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so those whiskers do come in handy,

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helping them find the food that they need.

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Biodiversity in a harbor
seal's natural environment

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is very important because
it gives the seals

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an opportunity to search
for a variety of species

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to incorporate in their diet.

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Wildlife surveys are very important

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because they help researchers count

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and identify how many different species

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of various populations are
living in that specific area.

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Humans can be good
neighbors to harbor seals,

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just by keeping a safe and
respectful distance from them.

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Another way to be a great
neighbor to harbor seals

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is to just do your part in
helping us protect the planet.

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This includes properly
disposing of your trash

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and recycling, participating
in beach cleanups

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and helping us protect a living shoreline.