QUESTION:
Why has the elephant seal population increased?

        From Mrs. Squicciarini's 5th grade class in West Babylon, 
        Long Island, New York.

ANSWER from Dr. Bill Fraser, Ecologist,  Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Wed, 19 Feb 1997 16:43:48 -0500

Dear Fifth Graders and Mrs. Squicciarini,

One of the main reasons why animal populations change has to do
with the amount and quality of their habitat.  When habitat
gets better, populations increase; when it gets worse, populations
decrease.  Elephant Seals are one of those species that appears
to be ice-intolerant, meaning they do not do well in heavy sea
ice conditions.  We think that as climate has warmed here,
winters have become milder, meaning less sea ice and improved
habitat for the seals.

Thanks for your question!
Bill