QUESTION:
Will the elephant seals attack the penguins, and will the penguins attack
the elephant seals?

        From Amanda M., Fifth Grader/Ms. Landmann's Class
        Rio del Mar school 
        Aptos, California 

ANSWER from Donna Patterson, Research Assistant, Bill Fraser's Team
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Thu, 20 Feb 1997 15:42:54 -0500
            
Hello Amanda,

No, the elephant seals will not attack the penguins.  Elephant seals 
feed mostly on fish and squid, so they are not considered to be 
predators of penguins.  Elephant seals go on long foraging trips, 
then "haul out" on land and will rest for several days.  When they 
haul out, they look for level ground close to the beaches, which 
sometimes turns out to be nearby penguin colonies.   Elephant seals 
will occasionally trample penguins on their nests or chicks while 
looking for a flat place to lie.   When they are this close to 
penguins, we have seen penguins nip at their flippers or tails.  The 
penguins are not really attacking, more likely they are trying to 
defend their territories.  

Thanks for your question!
Donna