2005 Young Tall Poppy Science Award Recipient

Dr Tracey Rogers
Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre, Zoological Parks Board NSW / Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

While researching the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean ecosystem, using the leopard seal, an Antarctic apex predator, marine biologist Dr Tracey Rogers discovered some interesting facts about seals.

Tracey has overturned beliefs about male seal calls, finding they are determined by whether the species have "working" or "stay-at-home" mothers. In fact, the greater the females' liberty while raising pups, the more complex the language is used by males to attract a mate. Species in which mothers of a species that stays with the pup all the time, the males use only simple, crude calls. Conversely, males of species in which mothers spent more time away from pups, had more elaborate calls. Such males were performing acoustic advertising, attempting to ensure they reached the widest audience of females, Tracey said, in a paper analysing 13 seal species for the US scientific journal Aquatic Mammals.

Tracey studied leopard seals since 1990 after falling in love with the species while working as a seal trainer at the zoo. She is currently the Director of the Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. The centre’s research program includes the impacts of climate change, the spatial, haul-out and foraging behaviour of leopard seals, population monitoring of Antarctic marine mammals, and the development of non-invasive techniques that will allow researchers to monitor the hormones of wild populations of whales, dolphins and seals without the need to restrain the animals.

"I have been enormously privileged. I've been in the position to follow my dream of becoming a research scientist and also been able to grow a research centre (Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre) since inception."

Following a BSc, a DipEd and a PhD, Tracey has been appointed as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney, and is a member of numerous boards including the Gowings Whale Research Foundation, and the Animal Care & Ethics Committee of the Zoological Parks Board of NSW (Chair). She is considered a world authority on the leopard seal and has written 37 scientific publications and presented her work at 44 conferences. In 2004 National Geographic aired their documentary on leopard seals showcasing her work. Tracey’s community engagement includes media interviews and features, acting as an advisor for educational Wildlife Documentaries and mentoring young women in science.

Tracey received a Young Tall Poppy Science Award in 2005.