Elephant Seals - The Consummate Divers Presentation with marine biologist Dr. Robert Rubin

Join us for
a wildly informative and entertaining presentation by Dr. Robert Rubin that
explores the science and history of the Elephant Seal.  Dr. Rubin will present information from
past and current field research on the ecology and life history of this unique and
charismatic animal that was once driven to near extinction.  Adaptations to environmental extremes –
including annual migrations in excess of 8,000 miles, fasting periods in excess
of three months, and feeding dives in excess of 5,000 feet on a single breath
of air – will be discussed and presented visually.

A Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation board member, Dr.
Robert Rubin has conducted marine fieldwork for four decades.  His research projects have included
studies of the population ecology of sea birds on oceanic islands, physiological
studies of fish-eating bats of the Sea of Cortez, as well as investigations of
the breeding energetics of Hooded and Harp Seals in the arctic. He is presently studying the population
ecology of manta rays in Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands and in the Indian
Ocean.  His work has been the

subject of a number of educational television documentaries presented by the

Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, National Geographic, and the BBC.  A faculty member at Santa Rosa Junior
College, Dr. Rubin teaches courses in marine biology and human anatomy.  A dynamic speaker, he has been the
recipient of numerous teaching awards and in 1996 The Carnegie Foundation for
the Advancement of Teaching chose him as the California College and University
Professor of the Year.