Social Community Protecting Endangered Species (Facebook)

Año Nuevo State Reserve, Ca,

Penelope was born as a "little" 90 lb (41 kg) pup in early January 1998 at the Año Nuevo State Reserve on the Californian coast.  She is now a 1,500 lb (680 kg) full grown female Northern Elephant Seal with 6 pups and thanks to her very own Facebook, she has many fans who have contributed to her fame. 

Penelope Seal is known as gnarly seal and a survivor considering 50% of her species will die before they reach maturity.  The beach she frequents at Año Nuevo State Reserve is a known hangout spot of hers and you can usually spot her basking in the sun, or if its raining, cuddling up to another elephant seal.

Penelope is part of a wider tagging program started by Tagging Of Pacific Predators. The small tags are placed on the heads and backs of the seals and collect data for Dan Costa’s researchers. The first of  those tags and many that are still used today, have a time depth recorder, which documents the dive depth, dive duration, and light levels. Elephant seals are incredible divers and allow scientists to learn about their unique behavior and the environment they live in.

Penelope Seal has been the star of Elephant Seal Homecoming Days for the past two years. This program was started by TOPP in 2008 for the months that the Northern Elephant Seals return to Año Nuevo State Reserve during the breeding season. TOPP picks around 10 out of the many that they tagged to become spokes-seals for the public, allowing them to see what it's like being one of the biggest seals in the world.

Penelope has been issued her own Facebook profile that is kept up for her by undergraduate volunteer keepers. Her Facebook profile, along with the other seals, keep the public updated on their progress while they give birth and proceed to take care of their pups. This year TOPP has a very special seal named Stelaphant Colbert (in reference to Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report). The fact that he was able to become such a huge star was because of the already huge fan base that surrounds Penelope. Penelope enabled TOPP to engage the public in learning about Northern elephant seals, marine science, and marine conservation.

Penelope has since had her 7th pup and is living on the beaches of Año Nuevo State Reserve. She was not tagged this year. One in particular, Stelephant Colbert, has since taken on the challenge of promoting elephant seals and has been quite successful in doing so.

Penelope is featured on the new version of Ocean Google Earth which allows the user to explore the oceans. Penelope can be located at Año Nuevo State Reserve.  I can think of no better way for more people to get involved and passionate about species protection… way to go Penelope!

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