Page 65 - World of Animals - Issue #30

Antarctic adventure

Travel expert Antarctic fur seal
Laurie Gough is an award-winning travel writer. Her new These seals breed
book, Stolen Child, is coming out in the autumn of 2016 Emperor penguin mainly on the islands
All morning I’ve been waiting on the top deck for my first These hardy birds are surrounding the Antarctic
glimpse of Antarctica. Then, up ahead, protruding out of the largest penguin mainland, and are found
the black waters and a bank of low-lying clouds, stands species, and breed in a band of warm
a pure white range of icy mountains, completely covered during the Antarctic waters known as the
in snow. I’ve arrived at the least known of all continents, winter. They come Antarctic Convergence.
the most dangerous, least hospitable, coldest, highest, most isolated ashore from late March The biggest population
place on Earth. Over the coming days I see gentoo penguins, leopard when the pack ice breeds on the coasts of
seals, orcas and giant sea birds. Most exciting to me are the humpback starts to freeze. South Georgia.
whales, who seem curious about the ship, breaching the surface, South
flipping their tails, eyeing the passengers. Their underwater lives are Atlantic
Ocean
still a mystery to scientists as they sing their underwater songs.
Southern elephant seal
These imposing seals are found on
most of the Sub-Antarctic islands. Indian
They breed in September, and the Ocean
males compete violently to win
the attention of the females.

Gentoo penguin
The rocky shores of the Antarctic South Pole
Peninsula are home to colonies of
waddling gentoo penguins. Their
presence attracts large carnivores, like
leopard seals and killer whales.
South
Wandering albatross Pacific
The skies surrounding Antarctica are Ocean
home to the largest species of albatross,
with a wingspan measuring up to 3.4 South
metres (11 feet). They are only usually Pacific
Ocean
seen on land during the breeding season.
Snow petrel
What you need to know These little birds
are hardier than
When to go they might appear.
Visits are restricted to the summer months, They can be found
(November to April), but the busiest times Killer whales around the pack
for wildlife are December to February, The waters surrounding ice, where they
when the penguins come ashore to breed. the Antarctic are home patrol the water
to a rich variety of marine in search of their
How to get there mammals, including the favourite food – krill.
Most visitors arrive by boat, but aircraft formidable killer whale (also
also land here. Find a responsible tour known as the orca). There
operator on the International Association of are three distinct types
Antarctica Tour Operators website. here, each with a different
diet and appearance.
What the weather will do
Antarctica is a frozen wonderland even
in the summer, so cold-weather gear is a
must. The weather can be unpredictable,
and choppy seas can affect travel.
What to take
Clean clothes, boots and equipment are
essential. Your kit must be free from mud,
plant material, or anything that could carry
non-native species onto the continent.

What you’ll see
Antarctica is a pristine environment, full of
unusual wildlife to spot. Visitors are treated
to beautiful birds, stunning views and a real
escape from civilisation.

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