Northern and southern elephant seals are studied intensively as model species for diving physiology. Welfare in research and in the wild involves both study methodology and natural condition hazards.
Elephant seal welfare in research contexts involves the trade-off between the value of knowledge gained from intensive study and the welfare costs of instrumentation. Satellite tags glued to fur require removal at moult, causing pulling stress. Injectable tags may cause infection. Time-depth recorders reveal remarkable diving physiology but their attachment is stressful. Research welfare protocols have improved substantially as instrument technology has miniaturised. In the wild, male combat injuries cause visible and often severe lacerations that heal slowly. The welfare significance of these natural injuries is difficult to assess against the context of natural behaviour and physiology adapted for these conditions.