QUESTION:
How rare is it to see a Ross seal?  Where are they usually found? 

        Thank you for answering our questions. 
        
                Vicki Heisler
                Fourth grade teacher
                Meeker Elementary
                Greeley, CO, USA


ANSWER from Polly Penhale, Program Manager
            Office of Polar Programs,National Science Foundation
            Tue, 25 Feb 97 09:22:06 EST

Dear Ms. Heisler and Students,

The Ross seal is very rare. It is estimated that there are around 
130,000 of them, while there are around 11-12 million crabeater seals. 
They are found in pack-ice and fast-ice--areas difficult to sample 
unless one is on a ice-breaking ship. One of the seabird scientists, 
who has spent over twenty seasons in the Palmer Station area 
(including an overwinter) has only seen one.

Thanks for your question!

Polly P.