Pinnped Projects

Since 2019: Acoustic Communication and recognition between mother and pup, between territorial males and between male/harems within harems. Impact of noise on the behavioural and vocal activities. In collaboration with Dr. Tess Gridley (SeaSearch, Cape Town & Univ Stellenbosch) and Dr. Simon Elwen (SeaSearch, Cape Town and Univ Pretoria). Mathilde Martin's PhD thesis. 

Since 2020: : Assessment of the impacts of anthropogenic noise on Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) using a multidisciplinary approach (acoustic, health and physiology). Project in collaboration with Rachael Gray (Sydney Uni) and Rebecca McIntosh (Phillip Island Nature Parks). PhD Student: Jessalyn Taylor. 

Since 2011: Male-Male Vocal Communication in Northern Elephant Seals. Project in collaboration with Colleen Reichmuth and Caroline Casey, UCSC, USA. NMFS permit 14636

Since 2017: Allonursing and individual recognition abilities in Northern elephant seal females. Project in collaboration with Colleen Reichmuth, UCSC, USA.  Fyssen Fondation Postdoc Fellowship: Juliette Linossier.

Since 2017: Mother-pup vocal communication in-air and under water. Passive acoustic monitoring of underwater vocal activities and deployement of mutli-sensor tags on females. Underwater playback experiments to assess biological functions of underwater calls and sequences. In collaboration with Jean-Benoit Charrassin & Sara Labrousse (LOCEAN, MNHN Paris), and Laurent Chauvaud (LEMAR, Brest). A PhD thesis will start in October 2025 (Simon Targowla). 

Since 2019: Study of the underwater vocal repertoire and the impact of noise on their behavioural and vocal activity. PhD student: Kirby Parnell (University of Hawaii). In collaboration with Charles Littnan (PSD, NOAA, Honolulu, Hawaii) and Lars Bejder (University of Hawaii at Manoa).

Since 2015: Study of aerial vocal repertoire of HMS: investigations on information encoded in their vocalisations leading to their protection and conservation. In collaboration with C. Littnan and J. Lopez Bohlander (Protected Species Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA). 

SInce 2013: Study of the aerial and underwater vocal repertoire of MMS, investigation of individual vocal signatures. Development of new non-invasive methods to monitor populations of endangered species and participation in their protection and conservation. Project in collaboration with Alex Karamanlidis and Panos Dendrinos, members of the MOm, the Hellenic society for the study and protection of the Monk seal (https://www.mom.gr).

2011-2015: Mother-Pup Vocal Communication in Harbour Seals. Project in collaboration with Pr. Gwenael Beauplet, Université Laval, Quebec city, Canada. 

2006-2012: Vocal repertoire of Atlantic walrus and investigations on the Mother-calf vocal communication in wild Atlantic walruses. Funded by the French Polar Institute (IPEV), program Arctic Morse n° 450. 3 Fieldwork trips (2006-2008-2011)  and a National Geographic Explorer grant (2011).