Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/24/2011 - 08:15
Forums
Seawater Property Changes in the Southern Ocean

Schlaefer

Have you seen any wildlife? If so what kind or did you get to interact with them?

Thu, 02/24/2011 - 18:32

Juan Botella

Hi there, Thanks for writing. I have seen Adélie penguins, Emperor penguins,
Skuas, Wedell seals, Orcas and Mienke whales. We were asked to not interact
with the animals so we do not bother them. It is such a pristine area that
it is best if the animals think that we are not around.
Juan.

Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:36

Anonymous

The photos of the animals are great though!From your photos at McMurdo, it looks like there is nothing growing on land - no plants or things to eat. And that all of the life and food there focuses on the sea. Were there many land-based animals?
And I hope you get some images of whales close to the boat!
:)

Thu, 03/10/2011 - 00:13

Juan Botella

Hey, I must have missed this post, since I do not remember answering it. Itis true that McMurdo seems barren of land life. I believe there are some
small life, like lichens or fungi, but nothing mayor. You are right in
saying that life focuses on the sea if you consider the skuas as sea
animals and not land based. It is a very harsh environment. We were during
the warmest time of the year and was pretty cold, even for Wisconsin
standards.
Thanks for resending it. And I do hope we get a closer look at whales!
Thanks,
Juan.