As winter rolls in, it’s that time of year again at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) when we bid heartfelt farewells. We say goodbye to many wildlife response patients as they head back to the wild or find forever homes in human care. This season also brings a temporary farewell to the tourists who visit our charming town of Seward during the bustling tourism season.
This year, our Mammals team experienced a particularly poignant goodbye when we said “so long” to two beloved resident spotted seals, Tunu and Kunik. They recently embarked on a journey to the Pinniped Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz, to continue their vital participation in conservation research. This work helps us understand their physiology, seasonal changes, and adaptations to life in the Arctic as part of the PHOCAS project.
The PHOCAS project, which stands for Physiology and Health of Cooperating Arctic Seals, is a multi-year collaboration between UC Santa Cruz and ASLC, led by the brilliant Dr. Colleen Reichmuth at Long Marine Lab. Ice seals are co-managed by federal and tribal governments, and our work conducted with the approval of state and federal partners and the Ice Seal Committee aims to address research questions that affect not just these species, but the entire ecosystem. This research is particularly significant as marine mammals, especially ice seals, hold cultural importance for many Alaska Native communities.
At the ASLC, our ringed and spotted seals are part of the PHOCAS “science squad.” They voluntarily contribute to research efforts that enhance our knowledge of their species. Tunu and Kunik have been especially impactful, contributing to more than 18 scientific studies focused on ice seals. Their next chapter will involve taking part in detailed studies of their sensory biology at Long Marine Lab in Santa Cruz, California.
Mammalogist Shelby has worked closely with both seals for nearly their entire lives. While she will certainly miss them, she’s optimistic about their future. “The move to Santa Cruz is the best decision for these two male seals. They were born to be advocates for their wild counterparts, and at UC Santa Cruz, they will continue to answer so many questions about their species, contributing more to science and conservation efforts.”
Tunu first joined us in 2010 through our Wildlife Response Program. As a young pup, he made his initial journey to UC Santa Cruz, helping to kickstart research on Arctic-adapted pinnipeds. After spending five years in California, he returned to ASLC for another research chapter. Over the years, Tunu has become a superstar in the PHOCAS project, known for his curious and friendly nature. His quick learning and enthusiasm have made him a favorite among staff and visitors alike, and he boasts the longest run of data collection in our research project—making him an invaluable part of our team!
Kunik, on the other hand, came to us as a two-week-old pup in 2016. He quickly established himself as a reliable participant in the PHOCAS program, impressing everyone with his calm demeanor and consistency. ASLC Mammalogist Shelby fondly recalls a pivotal moment for her and Kunik working together:
“Kunik picked up on new behaviors very quickly and was by far the most consistent participant in our metabolic training project. Kunik and I were given a deadline for a swimming metabolic project back in 2022 that needed to be wrapped up before the end of the year, and Kunik didn’t disappoint! He made sure we would be successful when he nailed his particularly advanced behaviors for the study. We wrapped up data collection together in the snow on December 31.”
This bittersweet goodbye marks a significant transition for our team and for our visitors. While Kunik lived in an area of the ASLC that is not visible to aquarium visitors, Tunu was one of the stars in our main seal habitat, inspiring thousands of people who visited the ASLC.
Although we’ll miss Tunu and Kunik dearly, we’re thrilled about the incredible opportunities awaiting them at UC Santa Cruz.
“Tunu and Kunik are going to gain amazing experiences as they embark on yet another important research chapter. We’re looking at this as if they’re ‘heading off to school’ to learn and grow,” shared ASLC Mammals Curator Michelle. “We’re excited about the impact they will have on our understanding of ice seals and pinnipeds.”
To dive deeper into the work being done at the Pinniped Lab and explore the impactful research from our PHOCAS collaboration, check out the Pinniped Lab at UC Santa Cruz.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating this chapter of Tunu and Kunik’s remarkable journey!
Written by ASLC Media Manager Kaiti Grant
