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Damian's interest lies in the behavioural and population ecology of marine mammals. His Masters theses were on the development of mother-pup behaviour in the harbour seal in Scotland and the population status of grey seals in southern and eastern Ireland. He has also been involved with behavioural studies examining fostering in the grey seal, nutritional status of the Steller sea lion in Alaska, and the success of releasing captive manatees into the wild in Florida.
In 2003 Damian completed his Ph.D at Université de La Rochelle, France. His study focused on intraspecific variation in male mating behaviour in the grey seal on Sable Island, NS. Using several different field methodologies, he examined the physiological and behavioural characteristics of male grey seals and related them to their reproductive success. This work was extended through his post-doctorate position at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, where he investigated the importance of longitudinal changes in male grey seal behaviour and the role of stress for reproductive success on Sable Island. Damian also examined the movement of male grey seals between breeding colonies in Scotland using satellite telemetry as a comparative study with his work on Sable Island.
He is currently a research associate at Dalhousie University with the Ocean Tracking Network, collaborating with Sara Iverson and Don Bowen on the predation of grey seals on large cod. During August, he is a co-instructor for the Dalhousie Seaside class 'Field Methods of Marine Mammals'.
Affiliations: Dalhousie University
Areas of Expertise: Behavioural and population ecology of marine mammals
View a list of Damian's publications
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