Produced for Fondation Yves Rocher
Southern Lands
In the Kerguelen archipelago, southern elephant seals have gone from being hunted for their blubber to becoming invaluable allies to oceanographers. Christophe Guinet, a leading scientist and researcher at CNRS and Ipev, has been leading a research program that utilises the incredible diving abilities of elephant seals to collect oceanographic data that is otherwise difficult for humans to obtain. Guinet's team has been placing beacons on the foreheads of elephant seals that have been anaesthetised for the operation. The device is attached with special glue that does not damage the animal's skin and comes off naturally after a year. The seal is then transformed into a unicorn-like creature with the antenna protruding like a horn that can transmit continuous parcel information. These beacons have revolutionised data collection in the southern ocean and have been greatly improved thanks to technological progress and the miniaturisation of certain elements. Integration of micro-cameras, for example, allows for detailed analysis of the prey caught by elephant seals during their multiple dives, which can be up to 900 prey items per day. The data collected helps scientists better understand the phenomenon of polar warming and its consequences. They have suggested that the oceanic front has been moving southwards in the southern ocean and also gained a better understanding of how fast the ocean is heating up, how fast the Antarctic glaciers are melting, and how this is changing the salinity of the sea. Despite the precious support of Ipev, Cnes, CNRS and the Total Foundation, the funding for such programs is hard to find, which could hinder the exploration of the Southern Ocean, one of the planet's major natural carbon sinks. This visual story by Melanie Wenger showcases the fruitful collaboration between humans and elephant seals on the Kerguelen archipelago, highlighting how the use of beacons and technology has made it possible for scientists to obtain vital data that contributes to our understanding of the Southern Ocean's ecosystem. It also brings to the forefront the importance of continuing such programs that will allow us to explore and preserve this precious ecosystem.
- Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
- Landscape Photographer
- Art Director