“Unveiling the Secrets of FitBits for Baby Seals!”
Health trackers have become integral in monitoring human well-being, but are these technologies beneficial for animals too? Scientists are now exploring the potential of utilizing Apple Watch and FitBit technology for vulnerable species. The grey seals of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, have become the focus of this groundbreaking research.
Every year, around half a million grey seals migrate to Sable Island to breed, making it the largest gathering of these seals in the world. Recently, concerns have arisen about the declining population of grey seal pups on the island. To address this issue, scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have taken action to study and monitor these seals more closely.
In collaboration with Canada’s parks department, researchers have developed innovative “seal FitBits” to track the health and behavior of six seal pups on Sable Island. These monitoring devices, created using off-the-shelf technologies and advanced 3D printing, aim to provide valuable insights while minimizing any disruptions to the natural habitat of the animals.
By combining EKG trackers with thermal cameras, scientists hope to gather comprehensive data on the lives of these seal pups and gain a better understanding of the challenges they face. This cutting-edge technology marks a significant step forward in wildlife research and conservation efforts.
Sable Island’s seals and their FitBits
The FitBits for seals on Sable Island aim to track the oxygen usage and heart rates of young seal pups. Like many animal species, grey seals face challenges as they transition from birth to independent life. These seals possess unique oxygen proteins that help them with deep diving and holding their breath. However, young seal pups have only a short time frame of 2-3 weeks to switch from land-based feeding to hunting in the ocean on their own.
The FitBits developed by WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) are specifically designed to monitor the heart rate, temperature, and overall oxygen usage of these seal pups. As the pups grow and venture into the ocean, grey seals must adapt to survive, and WHOI’s technology aims to shed light on this process in more detail.
The decline in the seal population on Sable Island is a significant concern for researchers, with potential factors including food competition. By tracking newborn seal pups during their critical early days, WHOI scientists hope to safeguard and conserve this unique population that was once thriving.
The pilot program for the seal FitBits commenced in February 2025, with WHOI scientists having studied the Sable Island seal population for many years. Previously, observations were limited to remote and surface-level assessments, but now, with six seal pups equipped with FitBits, researchers aim to continue studying the population for years to come. Challenges such as funding and technological advancements remain, especially as WHOI operates as a nonprofit organization.
While the initial stages of the Sable Island grey seal program have been successful since its launch in 2025, the future of the study in 2026 and beyond hinges on available funding and resources. The data collected from the seal FitBits not only shed light on the behaviors and challenges of this unique seal population but also offer hope for future seal populations and other species that were previously difficult to track.
As scientists analyze the data from the seal FitBits, promising prospects emerge for the conservation and study of seal populations and beyond. The technological advancements achieved in this research also open doors for studying other species that were once challenging to monitor. Amidst this progress, the Sable Island seal pups grow up alongside the island’s feral horse population, prompting reflections on the remarkable advancements in technology.
