Research in Depth

The project is led by researcher Andreas Fahlman, who has already gathered pilot data showing that the method works. Sea lions are trained to voluntarily participate in the measurements, where their respiratory function is studied in various situations. The insights can provide crucial knowledge about how diving marine mammals adapt to their environment and how we can better protect them from threats in the wild as well as from diseases.

By studying breathing, we can learn and gain insight into how diving mammals are affected, while new diagnostic equipment is being developed. Animals in zoos can, in other words, offer us knowledge and insights that allow us to more successfully protect them in the wild and understand how climate change affects their survival — both now and in future scenarios.

Kolmården Foundation supports the project as part of its work to strengthen the conservation of threatened marine species through scientific research.

Through the voluntary participation of our animals, they, together with researchers, can help us protect their wild counterparts in an ever-changing world.