Although there are 35 species of seals, only six types live in Antarctica: Antarctic Fur seal, Crabeater seal, Leopard seal, Ross seal, Weddell seal and Southern Elephant seal. However, these six species make up the majority of the world's seal population.
Fur seals were placed under protection after being driven to the edge of extinction and they have made a remarkable come back. At colonies on South Georgia, seal populations increase by an average of 17% each year. This translates to their population doubling every five years.
The Crabeater seal accounts for over half of the world’s seal population. Estimates place the Crabeater’s population in excess of 30 million. Its population explosion is possibly due to the decline of whales, the Crabeater’s chief competition for krill.
Southern Elephant seals are the big daddies of the Antarctic beach. Elephant seals can tip the scale at a hefty 4,000 kilos and measure over 4 metres in length.
The wellbeing of seals in our oceans is not only a sign of how we are taking care of these species but also of the oceans in which they live.
Baby seal
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