Who are these seals?
When the ice forms in the Arctic Ocean at the end of October, Greenland and hooded seals begin their annual migration from Greenland to the more temperate waters of the Gulf and Newfoundland Front. Gray and common seals are used to living in more southern waters.
Whether talking
about one or a variety of different species, these seals are incredible
marine mammals that have evolved over the past 20 million years. In order
to learn more about their ways, their incredible adaptability to their harsh
environment, or to discover the baby Greenland seal, known as "white
coat", in its first days of life, a visit to the S.I.C. is in order.
A fascinating adventure awaits you where you can find answers to many intriguing
questions. For example, in the marine ecosystem, is the seal a predator or prey? You be the judge at the Seal Interpretive Centre! |
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By diving
into the virtual sea at the Seal Interpretive Centre (S.I.C.), you'll meet
four different species of seals that are found in the waters of the Gulf
of Saint Lawrence and/or in the Saint Lawrence estuary. They are the Greenland,
hooded, gray and common seals, all of which can be spotted off the Magdalen
Islands.
Without
being extensive migrators, common seals prefer to remain in the Estuary
and in the Gulf region, while the gray seals can also be found along the
Canadian and American Atlantic coast.
Text and research : Catherine Soumagnas, Antoine Poirier