With Saildrones, researchers learn more about St. Paul’s fur seals

Tracking instruments are temporarily glued to female northern fur seals. (Carey Kuhn/NOAA Fisheries)
The northern fur seals on St. Paul Island are one of the most-studied marine mammals on the planet, but there’s still a lot scientists don’t know.
For the first time this year, scientists are using a device called a Saildrone to track down more information about the seals. The tool could help solve the mystery of why fur seals on the island have been declining since the 1970