The past and present status of the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina Linn.) in Greater Antarctica

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Abstract
Counts of southern elephant seals at the Vestfold Hills from 1958 to the present reveal that the population has declined by half to two thirds. The decline of this predominantly male, moulting population is similar to reported declines of breeding populations of elephant seals in the Kerguelen province. The population of moulting seals at the Windmill Islands is larger than previously thought and its status is unknown. The Vestfold Hills'' and Windmill Islands'' populations are the only known aggregations of southern elephant seals in Greater Antarctica. The accessibility of suitable areas on the Antarctic coast for moulting during summer is shown to be the reason for selection of these sites. Tagging studies show that elephant seals from the Vestfold Hills and the Windmill Islands migrate to and from Kerguelen province, and that up to 40% of the seals moulting in the Vestfold Hills return to moult the following year. The Kerguelen Plateau and the Antarctic coast represent important foraging grounds for sub-adult, male elephant seals.