I just returned from my tenth trip to the Antarctic and not very many people
the Antarctic and not very many people
the Antarctic and not very many people get to go there during their lifetime to
get to go there during their lifetime to
get to go there during their lifetime to see how special this place really is so
see how special this place really is so
see how special this place really is so today I want to share it I want to ask
today I want to share it I want to ask
today I want to share it I want to ask you to come with me for a journey to the
you to come with me for a journey to the
you to come with me for a journey to the Antarctic back in 1914 during the heroic
Antarctic back in 1914 during the heroic
Antarctic back in 1914 during the heroic age of exploration
age of exploration
age of exploration this was an advertisement for an
this was an advertisement for an
this was an advertisement for an Antarctic expedition hit read men wanted
Antarctic expedition hit read men wanted
Antarctic expedition hit read men wanted for hazardous journey small wages bitter
for hazardous journey small wages bitter
for hazardous journey small wages bitter cold long months complete darkness
cold long months complete darkness
cold long months complete darkness constant danger safe return doubtful
constant danger safe return doubtful
constant danger safe return doubtful honor and recognition in case of success
honor and recognition in case of success
honor and recognition in case of success it was posted by Ernest Shackleton and
it was posted by Ernest Shackleton and
it was posted by Ernest Shackleton and by that point the South Pole had already
by that point the South Pole had already
by that point the South Pole had already been reached and Shackleton wanted to go
been reached and Shackleton wanted to go
been reached and Shackleton wanted to go a step further and he wanted to cross
a step further and he wanted to cross
a step further and he wanted to cross the Antarctic continent from one end to
the Antarctic continent from one end to
the Antarctic continent from one end to the other so with this unique
the other so with this unique
the other so with this unique advertisement Shackleton secured a crew
advertisement Shackleton secured a crew
advertisement Shackleton secured a crew for his journey and Shackleton was not
for his journey and Shackleton was not
for his journey and Shackleton was not exaggerating and that’s because one of
exaggerating and that’s because one of
exaggerating and that’s because one of his ships the endurance became frozen
his ships the endurance became frozen
his ships the endurance became frozen ice well before even reaching the
ice well before even reaching the
ice well before even reaching the Antarctic continent eventually it was
Antarctic continent eventually it was
Antarctic continent eventually it was crushed by ice blows and sank to the
crushed by ice blows and sank to the
crushed by ice blows and sank to the bottom of the ocean and the crew had to
bottom of the ocean and the crew had to
bottom of the ocean and the crew had to abandon the ship and make camps out on
abandon the ship and make camps out on
abandon the ship and make camps out on the sea ice meanwhile Shackleton
the sea ice meanwhile Shackleton
the sea ice meanwhile Shackleton traveled on and searched for help and he
traveled on and searched for help and he
traveled on and searched for help and he failed on three boats before finally
failed on three boats before finally
failed on three boats before finally finding one that could come and rescue
finding one that could come and rescue
finding one that could come and rescue his crew 22 months later but what was so
his crew 22 months later but what was so
his crew 22 months later but what was so remarkable about this expedition was at
remarkable about this expedition was at
remarkable about this expedition was at 28 men were stranded in the middle of
28 men were stranded in the middle of
28 men were stranded in the middle of the frozen ocean for more than a year
the frozen ocean for more than a year
the frozen ocean for more than a year and a half and not a single person died
and a half and not a single person died
and a half and not a single person died the crew responded to each and every
the crew responded to each and every
the crew responded to each and every obstacle and their circumstances and
obstacle and their circumstances and
obstacle and their circumstances and they reacted making this expedition one
they reacted making this expedition one
they reacted making this expedition one of history’s greatest survival stories
of history’s greatest survival stories
of history’s greatest survival stories now in case that advertisement doesn’t
now in case that advertisement doesn’t
now in case that advertisement doesn’t sound appealing to you nowaday is on our
sound appealing to you nowaday is on our
sound appealing to you nowaday is on our journeys we traveled by military plane
journeys we traveled by military plane
journeys we traveled by military plane from New Zealand to the Antarctic
from New Zealand to the Antarctic
from New Zealand to the Antarctic takes us six to eight hours so nowhere
takes us six to eight hours so nowhere
takes us six to eight hours so nowhere near 22 months but with Shackleton’s
near 22 months but with Shackleton’s
near 22 months but with Shackleton’s crew had gotten caught up in was the
crew had gotten caught up in was the
crew had gotten caught up in was the dramatic seasonality seen at the polls
dramatic seasonality seen at the polls
dramatic seasonality seen at the polls living at the polls means having to
living at the polls means having to
living at the polls means having to endure the most rapidly changing
endure the most rapidly changing
endure the most rapidly changing environments on earth living in Alaska
environments on earth living in Alaska
environments on earth living in Alaska we know this to be true with light
we know this to be true with light
we know this to be true with light levels and certainly temperatures as
levels and certainly temperatures as
levels and certainly temperatures as well as sea ice extent and this all
well as sea ice extent and this all
well as sea ice extent and this all ultimately influences prey and resource
ultimately influences prey and resource
ultimately influences prey and resource availability so while we may no longer
availability so while we may no longer
availability so while we may no longer need to endure the conditions that
need to endure the conditions that
need to endure the conditions that Shackleton did during his year on ice
Shackleton did during his year on ice
Shackleton did during his year on ice that went down in history the fauna and
that went down in history the fauna and
that went down in history the fauna and the animals that live at the poles still
the animals that live at the poles still
the animals that live at the poles still do they have to live through these
do they have to live through these
do they have to live through these challenging conditions all year every
challenging conditions all year every
challenging conditions all year every year for their entire lives
year for their entire lives
year for their entire lives so with this constant every changing
so with this constant every changing
so with this constant every changing environment how is an animal expected to
environment how is an animal expected to
environment how is an animal expected to be able to make a living a lot of that
be able to make a living a lot of that
be able to make a living a lot of that will depend on their evolutionary
will depend on their evolutionary
will depend on their evolutionary history what special adaptations do
history what special adaptations do
history what special adaptations do these animals have that make them
these animals have that make them
these animals have that make them comfortable in environments that you or
comfortable in environments that you or
comfortable in environments that you or I would think are extreme then they need
I would think are extreme then they need
I would think are extreme then they need some wiggle room they have to be able to
some wiggle room they have to be able to
some wiggle room they have to be able to adjust their physiology or their inner
adjust their physiology or their inner
adjust their physiology or their inner workings and their behaviors to cope
workings and their behaviors to cope
workings and their behaviors to cope with change now one of the first
with change now one of the first
with change now one of the first questions I always get asked is if you
questions I always get asked is if you
questions I always get asked is if you want to understand how a polar animal
want to understand how a polar animal
want to understand how a polar animal makes a living why not do your work in
makes a living why not do your work in
makes a living why not do your work in Alaska why am I asking you to come with
Alaska why am I asking you to come with
Alaska why am I asking you to come with me on a journey to the Antarctic across
me on a journey to the Antarctic across
me on a journey to the Antarctic across the world when there are polar animals
the world when there are polar animals
the world when there are polar animals right here and the answer is that to
right here and the answer is that to
right here and the answer is that to truly understand how an animal makes a
truly understand how an animal makes a
truly understand how an animal makes a living we have to keep track of the same
living we have to keep track of the same
living we have to keep track of the same animals within and between years figure
animals within and between years figure
animals within and between years figure out what life looks like from the
out what life looks like from the
out what life looks like from the perspective of an individual but nature
perspective of an individual but nature
perspective of an individual but nature and wild animals are unpredictable often
and wild animals are unpredictable often
and wild animals are unpredictable often making this extraordinarily difficult or
making this extraordinarily difficult or
making this extraordinarily difficult or impossible especially because I study
impossible especially because I study
impossible especially because I study marine mammals it’s been so much of
marine mammals it’s been so much of
marine mammals it’s been so much of their lives under the ocean’s surface
their lives under the ocean’s surface
their lives under the ocean’s surface and this is all true of the Arctic seals
and this is all true of the Arctic seals
and this is all true of the Arctic seals Arctic SEALs hang out in this very
Arctic SEALs hang out in this very
Arctic SEALs hang out in this very transient pack ice these tiny little
transient pack ice these tiny little
transient pack ice these tiny little flows that are hard to get to and Arctic
flows that are hard to get to and Arctic
flows that are hard to get to and Arctic seals are very skittish because they
seals are very skittish because they
seals are very skittish because they have land predators here like polar
have land predators here like polar
have land predators here like polar bears
bears
bears and they’re still hunted for subsistence
and they’re still hunted for subsistence
and they’re still hunted for subsistence so with all that stacked against us we
so with all that stacked against us we
so with all that stacked against us we really can’t see with the same animals
really can’t see with the same animals
really can’t see with the same animals doing across its lifetime and that is
doing across its lifetime and that is
doing across its lifetime and that is exactly why I travel to the Antarctic
exactly why I travel to the Antarctic
exactly why I travel to the Antarctic each year to study the world’s
each year to study the world’s
each year to study the world’s southernmost living mammal the Weddell
southernmost living mammal the Weddell
southernmost living mammal the Weddell steel
steel
steel this drawing shows the first description
this drawing shows the first description
this drawing shows the first description of the species it’s named after one of
of the species it’s named after one of
of the species it’s named after one of james Battelle’s expeditions in the
james Battelle’s expeditions in the
james Battelle’s expeditions in the 1800s and they called it the sea leopard
1800s and they called it the sea leopard
1800s and they called it the sea leopard of south Orkney Islands and they made it
of south Orkney Islands and they made it
of south Orkney Islands and they made it look quite frightening with these claws
look quite frightening with these claws
look quite frightening with these claws Lipper’s
Lipper’s
Lipper’s this tiny head but they’re actually
this tiny head but they’re actually
this tiny head but they’re actually these really docile creatures that live
these really docile creatures that live
these really docile creatures that live around the Antarctic continent
around the Antarctic continent
around the Antarctic continent year-round and on our journeys we’re
year-round and on our journeys we’re
year-round and on our journeys we’re going to go to the Ross Sea one of the
going to go to the Ross Sea one of the
going to go to the Ross Sea one of the last pristine environments on earth to
last pristine environments on earth to
last pristine environments on earth to study the southernmost population of
study the southernmost population of
study the southernmost population of these southernmost living mammal so
these southernmost living mammal so
these southernmost living mammal so we’re going pretty much as far south as
we’re going pretty much as far south as
we’re going pretty much as far south as you can go down to the tip of Ross
you can go down to the tip of Ross
you can go down to the tip of Ross Island eels congregate and colonies at
Island eels congregate and colonies at
Island eels congregate and colonies at Ross Island here on this ice that’s
Ross Island here on this ice that’s
Ross Island here on this ice that’s anchored to the land or fast ice and it
anchored to the land or fast ice and it
anchored to the land or fast ice and it makes it really easy for us to
makes it really easy for us to
makes it really easy for us to snowmachine from McMurdo science station
snowmachine from McMurdo science station
snowmachine from McMurdo science station out to the seal colony as each day and
out to the seal colony as each day and
out to the seal colony as each day and what’s more is that what all seals don’t
what’s more is that what all seals don’t
what’s more is that what all seals don’t have any land predators because there
have any land predators because there
have any land predators because there are no polar bears in Antarctica so
are no polar bears in Antarctica so
are no polar bears in Antarctica so because they don’t have land predators
because they don’t have land predators
because they don’t have land predators we can walk through these colonies right
we can walk through these colonies right
we can walk through these colonies right up to the animals and they really don’t
up to the animals and they really don’t
up to the animals and they really don’t mind us very much a lot of the time the
mind us very much a lot of the time the
mind us very much a lot of the time the animals are asleep and they don’t even
animals are asleep and they don’t even
animals are asleep and they don’t even wake up as we walk by but as we pros
wake up as we walk by but as we pros
wake up as we walk by but as we pros through these colonies looking through
through these colonies looking through
through these colonies looking through the animals what we’re actually looking
the animals what we’re actually looking
the animals what we’re actually looking at are the animals flippers and more
at are the animals flippers and more
at are the animals flippers and more specifically identification tags on
specifically identification tags on
specifically identification tags on their flippers our collaborators at
their flippers our collaborators at
their flippers our collaborators at Montana State University have maintained
Montana State University have maintained
Montana State University have maintained a 50-year long study on what else eels
a 50-year long study on what else eels
a 50-year long study on what else eels here they’re about 2000 animals right by
here they’re about 2000 animals right by
here they’re about 2000 animals right by the science station and 80% of them have
the science station and 80% of them have
the science station and 80% of them have these unique numbers so we can walk up
these unique numbers so we can walk up
these unique numbers so we can walk up to almost any wild animal here and know
to almost any wild animal here and know
to almost any wild animal here and know exactly who they are and their lifetime
exactly who they are and their lifetime
exactly who they are and their lifetime histories
histories
histories take for example
take for example
take for example we look at this animal three five seven
we look at this animal three five seven
we look at this animal three five seven four and we know immediately that she’s
four and we know immediately that she’s
four and we know immediately that she’s a 14 year old female she had her first
a 14 year old female she had her first
a 14 year old female she had her first pup when she was just four years old and
pup when she was just four years old and
pup when she was just four years old and she’s now had eight pups total
she’s now had eight pups total
she’s now had eight pups total throughout her lifetime so far so she is
throughout her lifetime so far so she is
throughout her lifetime so far so she is what we would consider to be a good or
what we would consider to be a good or
what we would consider to be a good or robust mom and that’s in contrast to
robust mom and that’s in contrast to
robust mom and that’s in contrast to animals like this one seven two four
animals like this one seven two four
animals like this one seven two four eight she is an eighteen year old female
eight she is an eighteen year old female
eight she is an eighteen year old female and she waited and she didn’t have her
and she waited and she didn’t have her
and she waited and she didn’t have her first pup until she was nine years old
first pup until she was nine years old
first pup until she was nine years old and even though this animals older than
and even though this animals older than
and even though this animals older than that last deal she’s only had five pups
that last deal she’s only had five pups
that last deal she’s only had five pups so it’s not very many and she’s what we
so it’s not very many and she’s what we
so it’s not very many and she’s what we would consider to be a frail mom we
would consider to be a frail mom we
would consider to be a frail mom we normally see it Weddell seals hauled out
normally see it Weddell seals hauled out
normally see it Weddell seals hauled out on the ice they come back to the
on the ice they come back to the
on the ice they come back to the colonies at the start of the Antarctic
colonies at the start of the Antarctic
colonies at the start of the Antarctic summer each year to give birth to their
summer each year to give birth to their
summer each year to give birth to their pups and at this point they’re at their
pups and at this point they’re at their
pups and at this point they’re at their best for Weddell seal they usually weigh
best for Weddell seal they usually weigh
best for Weddell seal they usually weigh about 900 pounds of which more than 30
about 900 pounds of which more than 30
about 900 pounds of which more than 30 percent of that is blubber and that’s
percent of that is blubber and that’s
percent of that is blubber and that’s 300 pounds of fat and then the females
300 pounds of fat and then the females
300 pounds of fat and then the females go on to nurse their pups for the next
go on to nurse their pups for the next
go on to nurse their pups for the next six weeks and they’re also one of the
six weeks and they’re also one of the
six weeks and they’re also one of the few seal species that give their pups
few seal species that give their pups
few seal species that give their pups swimming lessons so you’ll see the
swimming lessons so you’ll see the
swimming lessons so you’ll see the females call too they’re very reluctant
females call too they’re very reluctant
females call too they’re very reluctant pups coaxing them into this freezing
pups coaxing them into this freezing
pups coaxing them into this freezing cold water she’ll give him some swimming
cold water she’ll give him some swimming
cold water she’ll give him some swimming and foraging pointers so that he can
and foraging pointers so that he can
and foraging pointers so that he can learn to hunt on his own but until he
learn to hunt on his own but until he
learn to hunt on his own but until he can do that that mom is going to shovel
can do that that mom is going to shovel
can do that that mom is going to shovel as much fat as she possibly can into
as much fat as she possibly can into
as much fat as she possibly can into that pup to plump him up during the
that pup to plump him up during the
that pup to plump him up during the short nursing period so when you go to
short nursing period so when you go to
short nursing period so when you go to the grocery store and you have to choose
the grocery store and you have to choose
the grocery store and you have to choose between milk that’s one and two percent
between milk that’s one and two percent
between milk that’s one and two percent fat the Weddell seals milk is 60% fat to
fat the Weddell seals milk is 60% fat to
fat the Weddell seals milk is 60% fat to get those stores to the pup quickly and
get those stores to the pup quickly and
get those stores to the pup quickly and as a result this pup has now grown and
as a result this pup has now grown and
as a result this pup has now grown and now he’s so fat he kind of floats a
now he’s so fat he kind of floats a
now he’s so fat he kind of floats a little bare as he tries to swim and by
little bare as he tries to swim and by
little bare as he tries to swim and by the end of that nursing period the pup
the end of that nursing period the pup
the end of that nursing period the pup has doubled in size while the females
has doubled in size while the females
has doubled in size while the females lost 30 to 40 percent of her body mass
lost 30 to 40 percent of her body mass
lost 30 to 40 percent of her body mass so bonel feels are these naturally obese
so bonel feels are these naturally obese
so bonel feels are these naturally obese animals but they don’t experience any of
animals but they don’t experience any of
animals but they don’t experience any of the
the
the negative consequences that humans and
negative consequences that humans and
negative consequences that humans and society associate with obesity heart
society associate with obesity heart
society associate with obesity heart disease strokes diabetes and then they
disease strokes diabetes and then they
disease strokes diabetes and then they go on to lose 200 300 pounds in a little
go on to lose 200 300 pounds in a little
go on to lose 200 300 pounds in a little over a month and once again there’s
over a month and once again there’s
over a month and once again there’s rapid weight loss is something that’s
rapid weight loss is something that’s
rapid weight loss is something that’s totally okay for wardell’s deal where
totally okay for wardell’s deal where
totally okay for wardell’s deal where was it it would not be for us so there’s
was it it would not be for us so there’s
was it it would not be for us so there’s actually quite a bit to learn from these
actually quite a bit to learn from these
actually quite a bit to learn from these animals as models for aspects of
animals as models for aspects of
animals as models for aspects of biomedical research if these animals
biomedical research if these animals
biomedical research if these animals have found natural solutions to these
have found natural solutions to these
have found natural solutions to these problems to stay healthy and thrive then
problems to stay healthy and thrive then
problems to stay healthy and thrive then maybe we can start to apply those
maybe we can start to apply those
maybe we can start to apply those solutions to our systems as well what’s
solutions to our systems as well what’s
solutions to our systems as well what’s more is at the end of this nursing
more is at the end of this nursing
more is at the end of this nursing period the females start all over again
period the females start all over again
period the females start all over again for the next year and the breeding
for the next year and the breeding
for the next year and the breeding season occurs so I’m trying to figure
season occurs so I’m trying to figure
season occurs so I’m trying to figure out why it is that those robust females
out why it is that those robust females
out why it is that those robust females are just so much better at producing so
are just so much better at producing so
are just so much better at producing so many pups we started at the beginning
many pups we started at the beginning
many pups we started at the beginning and we wanted to see which females
and we wanted to see which females
and we wanted to see which females became pregnant again for the next year
became pregnant again for the next year
became pregnant again for the next year so we’ve been talking about taking these
so we’ve been talking about taking these
so we’ve been talking about taking these things that we learn from wild animals
things that we learn from wild animals
things that we learn from wild animals and extreme environments and applying
and extreme environments and applying
and extreme environments and applying that to the biomedical field but we’ve
that to the biomedical field but we’ve
that to the biomedical field but we’ve also turned this around and we’ve taken
also turned this around and we’ve taken
also turned this around and we’ve taken advantage of the technological advances
advantage of the technological advances
advantage of the technological advances in the biomedical field to start
in the biomedical field to start
in the biomedical field to start monitoring the health and reproduction
monitoring the health and reproduction
monitoring the health and reproduction of this wild population and we’ve worked
of this wild population and we’ve worked
of this wild population and we’ve worked with veterinarians to use ultrasound to
with veterinarians to use ultrasound to
with veterinarians to use ultrasound to find very early pregnancies in Weddell
find very early pregnancies in Weddell
find very early pregnancies in Weddell seals we can find them as small as one
seals we can find them as small as one
seals we can find them as small as one centimeter in this 900 pound animal and
centimeter in this 900 pound animal and
centimeter in this 900 pound animal and then we get to watch them grow from
then we get to watch them grow from
then we get to watch them grow from something that starts is barely
something that starts is barely
something that starts is barely recognizable to the first anybody
recognizable to the first anybody
recognizable to the first anybody heartbeat just something that starts to
heartbeat just something that starts to
heartbeat just something that starts to look more and more like a baby seal with
look more and more like a baby seal with
look more and more like a baby seal with a head and flippers and even squirming
a head and flippers and even squirming
a head and flippers and even squirming around in there and what else feels make
around in there and what else feels make
around in there and what else feels make these party entities really long at
these party entities really long at
these party entities really long at about 10 months and what that does is it
about 10 months and what that does is it
about 10 months and what that does is it stretches that reproductive cycle so if
stretches that reproductive cycle so if
stretches that reproductive cycle so if it’s exactly in one full calendar year
it’s exactly in one full calendar year
it’s exactly in one full calendar year making sure that the females will always
making sure that the females will always
making sure that the females will always give birth to their pups during the
give birth to their pups during the
give birth to their pups during the summer when it’s nights are out what
summer when it’s nights are out what
summer when it’s nights are out what these long cycles then mean for us
these long cycles then mean for us
these long cycles then mean for us though is that we have to wait or
though is that we have to wait or
though is that we have to wait or long time to find out which females are
long time to find out which females are
long time to find out which females are successful and have a cup next year
successful and have a cup next year
successful and have a cup next year because not all of these embryos are
because not all of these embryos are
because not all of these embryos are destined to become pups we’ve seen some
destined to become pups we’ve seen some
destined to become pups we’ve seen some of those frail females just don’t become
of those frail females just don’t become
of those frail females just don’t become pregnant at all and others lose their
pregnant at all and others lose their
pregnant at all and others lose their pregnancies somewhere along the way so
pregnancies somewhere along the way so
pregnancies somewhere along the way so some of this whether a female is able to
some of this whether a female is able to
some of this whether a female is able to keep her pregnancy or not likely has to
keep her pregnancy or not likely has to
keep her pregnancy or not likely has to do with the fact that now we’re getting
do with the fact that now we’re getting
do with the fact that now we’re getting into those long cold dark winter months
into those long cold dark winter months
into those long cold dark winter months in the Antarctic the ability of these
in the Antarctic the ability of these
in the Antarctic the ability of these animals to stay large and fat and happy
animals to stay large and fat and happy
animals to stay large and fat and happy and producing pups tells us about the
and producing pups tells us about the
and producing pups tells us about the local marine productivity and how much
local marine productivity and how much
local marine productivity and how much energy these top predators are able to
energy these top predators are able to
energy these top predators are able to extract from their environments so they
extract from their environments so they
extract from their environments so they act as environmental sentinels then with
act as environmental sentinels then with
act as environmental sentinels then with a changing environment it’s going to
a changing environment it’s going to
a changing environment it’s going to come changes and how easy it is for the
come changes and how easy it is for the
come changes and how easy it is for the animals to get their food when they have
animals to get their food when they have
animals to get their food when they have to work harder just to make ends meet
to work harder just to make ends meet
to work harder just to make ends meet means they’re not going to have as much
means they’re not going to have as much
means they’re not going to have as much of that wiggle room to cope with
of that wiggle room to cope with
of that wiggle room to cope with additional unpredictable change so this
additional unpredictable change so this
additional unpredictable change so this may mark times that the animals are most
may mark times that the animals are most
may mark times that the animals are most vulnerable to changes in their ecosystem
vulnerable to changes in their ecosystem
vulnerable to changes in their ecosystem now I’m first starting to study Weddell
now I’m first starting to study Weddell
now I’m first starting to study Weddell seals the aspect that I was most excited
seals the aspect that I was most excited
seals the aspect that I was most excited about was figuring out what these
about was figuring out what these
about was figuring out what these amazing athletes are doing with their
amazing athletes are doing with their
amazing athletes are doing with their dives across the year for foraging
dives across the year for foraging
dives across the year for foraging medulla seals are this great example of
medulla seals are this great example of
medulla seals are this great example of not letting outward appearances fool you
not letting outward appearances fool you
not letting outward appearances fool you because that thing really is an
because that thing really is an
because that thing really is an incredible athlete and just to show you
incredible athlete and just to show you
incredible athlete and just to show you we let the animals go for the rest of
we let the animals go for the rest of
we let the animals go for the rest of year and they winds about on their merry
year and they winds about on their merry
year and they winds about on their merry lives but we started following the seals
lives but we started following the seals
lives but we started following the seals on their dives and when I say we’ve
on their dives and when I say we’ve
on their dives and when I say we’ve followed them what I mean is we gave
followed them what I mean is we gave
followed them what I mean is we gave them some bling
we gave them these satellite tags
we gave them these satellite tags they’re glued to the animals first they
they’re glued to the animals first they
they’re glued to the animals first they just fall off when the first shed and
just fall off when the first shed and
just fall off when the first shed and they record what the animals are doing
they record what the animals are doing
they record what the animals are doing on their dives and transmits the
on their dives and transmits the
on their dives and transmits the information back to us by satellites so
information back to us by satellites so
information back to us by satellites so we can download the data back at our
we can download the data back at our
we can download the data back at our computers at home and when we look at
computers at home and when we look at
computers at home and when we look at what these animals are capable of here
what these animals are capable of here
what these animals are capable of here are some of the tallest skyscrapers in
are some of the tallest skyscrapers in
are some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world the Empire State Building
the world the Empire State Building
the world the Empire State Building Sears Tower petronas towers british
Sears Tower petronas towers british
Sears Tower petronas towers british clipper and drawn to scale next to that
clipper and drawn to scale next to that
clipper and drawn to scale next to that is the Weddell seal dive and you can see
is the Weddell seal dive and you can see
is the Weddell seal dive and you can see this dive is deeper than the tallest of
this dive is deeper than the tallest of
this dive is deeper than the tallest of skyscrapers just a little under 3,000
skyscrapers just a little under 3,000
skyscrapers just a little under 3,000 feet and more than 22 minutes in
feet and more than 22 minutes in
feet and more than 22 minutes in duration and in fact the longest ever
duration and in fact the longest ever
duration and in fact the longest ever recorded would all still dive was more
recorded would all still dive was more
recorded would all still dive was more than hour and a half long
than hour and a half long
than hour and a half long it is 96 minutes so can you imagine if
it is 96 minutes so can you imagine if
it is 96 minutes so can you imagine if when you got hungry you had to chase
when you got hungry you had to chase
when you got hungry you had to chase your dinner up and down the Empire State
your dinner up and down the Empire State
your dinner up and down the Empire State Building while holding your breath but
Building while holding your breath but
Building while holding your breath but that’s what these animals are often
that’s what these animals are often
that’s what these animals are often doing and when we look at how this fits
doing and when we look at how this fits
doing and when we look at how this fits into the year they’re making thousands
into the year they’re making thousands
into the year they’re making thousands of dives and as we get into those
of dives and as we get into those
of dives and as we get into those harsher winter months we see more and
harsher winter months we see more and
harsher winter months we see more and more of those skyscraper deep dives
more of those skyscraper deep dives
more of those skyscraper deep dives warmer colors are also going to show
warmer colors are also going to show
warmer colors are also going to show longer dives and we see more and more of
longer dives and we see more and more of
longer dives and we see more and more of those orange red more than 30 minute
those orange red more than 30 minute
those orange red more than 30 minute long dives pop up over the winter – so
long dives pop up over the winter – so
long dives pop up over the winter – so they’re diving longer and deeper
they’re diving longer and deeper
they’re diving longer and deeper but as Fila can only hold its breath on
but as Fila can only hold its breath on
but as Fila can only hold its breath on a dive for so long and so they seem to
a dive for so long and so they seem to
a dive for so long and so they seem to be pushing their limits more during the
be pushing their limits more during the
be pushing their limits more during the winter month when they’re also pregnant
winter month when they’re also pregnant
winter month when they’re also pregnant and when you see that it’s the seals
and when you see that it’s the seals
and when you see that it’s the seals that are pushing these limits the most
that are pushing these limits the most
that are pushing these limits the most that are ultimately successful and give
that are ultimately successful and give
that are ultimately successful and give birth to a pup the next year so the
birth to a pup the next year so the
birth to a pup the next year so the animals have to work harder to keep
animals have to work harder to keep
animals have to work harder to keep producing these pups which helps
producing these pups which helps
producing these pups which helps maintain that population and it’s
maintain that population and it’s
maintain that population and it’s because of that long-term population
because of that long-term population
because of that long-term population study that we can really get at the
study that we can really get at the
study that we can really get at the endgame here because we can walk through
endgame here because we can walk through
endgame here because we can walk through those colonies again an entire year
those colonies again an entire year
those colonies again an entire year later and find the exact same females
later and find the exact same females
later and find the exact same females there to figure out whether she had a
there to figure out whether she had a
there to figure out whether she had a pup or not
so kind of like Shackleton’s crew the
so kind of like Shackleton’s crew the animals have to make all the puzzle
animals have to make all the puzzle
animals have to make all the puzzle pieces fit together just right to make
pieces fit together just right to make
pieces fit together just right to make this whole thing work they have to be
this whole thing work they have to be
this whole thing work they have to be really fat they have to withstand
really fat they have to withstand
really fat they have to withstand dramatic changes in weight they have to
dramatic changes in weight they have to
dramatic changes in weight they have to make their reproductive cycles really
make their reproductive cycles really
make their reproductive cycles really long and they have to be able to work
long and they have to be able to work
long and they have to be able to work harder when things get challenging so if
harder when things get challenging so if
harder when things get challenging so if you look around you at the animals here
you look around you at the animals here
you look around you at the animals here where anywhere really look closely at
where anywhere really look closely at
where anywhere really look closely at nature every species is a masterpiece
nature every species is a masterpiece
nature every species is a masterpiece exquisitely adapted to the particular
exquisitely adapted to the particular
exquisitely adapted to the particular environment in which it has survived
environment in which it has survived
environment in which it has survived who are we to destroy or even diminish
who are we to destroy or even diminish
who are we to destroy or even diminish biodiversity this was asked by ecologist
biodiversity this was asked by ecologist
biodiversity this was asked by ecologist Leo Wilson and it brings the question of
Leo Wilson and it brings the question of
Leo Wilson and it brings the question of what happens when we start to alter
what happens when we start to alter
what happens when we start to alter these ecosystems what happens when we
these ecosystems what happens when we
these ecosystems what happens when we see the effects of climate change for
see the effects of climate change for
see the effects of climate change for example in the year 2000 the Ross Sea
example in the year 2000 the Ross Sea
example in the year 2000 the Ross Sea saw these ginormous iceberg calving
saw these ginormous iceberg calving
saw these ginormous iceberg calving events and as a sort of natural
events and as a sort of natural
events and as a sort of natural experiment we got to see what happened
experiment we got to see what happened
experiment we got to see what happened when they blocked off the entire area so
when they blocked off the entire area so
when they blocked off the entire area so we have B 15 C 16 they locked him way
we have B 15 C 16 they locked him way
we have B 15 C 16 they locked him way more ice than is normal they lowered
more ice than is normal they lowered
more ice than is normal they lowered local productivity and they made it
local productivity and they made it
local productivity and they made it harder for the seals to navigate back to
harder for the seals to navigate back to
harder for the seals to navigate back to their colonies so during the iceberg
their colonies so during the iceberg
their colonies so during the iceberg years the reproductive rates of the
years the reproductive rates of the
years the reproductive rates of the seals at Ross Island plummeted there has
seals at Ross Island plummeted there has
seals at Ross Island plummeted there has also been commercial fishing in the Ross
also been commercial fishing in the Ross
also been commercial fishing in the Ross Sea for Antarctic toothfish otherwise
Sea for Antarctic toothfish otherwise
Sea for Antarctic toothfish otherwise known as Chilean sea bass and there are
known as Chilean sea bass and there are
known as Chilean sea bass and there are these huge long live fish that are prey
these huge long live fish that are prey
these huge long live fish that are prey for a lot of the top predators here like
for a lot of the top predators here like
for a lot of the top predators here like Weddell seals and since the
Weddell seals and since the
Weddell seals and since the establishment of this fishery scientists
establishment of this fishery scientists
establishment of this fishery scientists have seen changes in the local fish
have seen changes in the local fish
have seen changes in the local fish composition and behaviors of the top
composition and behaviors of the top
composition and behaviors of the top predators so if I identifying these
predators so if I identifying these
predators so if I identifying these problems and how the puzzle pieces don’t
problems and how the puzzle pieces don’t
problems and how the puzzle pieces don’t fit together quite right and how the
fit together quite right and how the
fit together quite right and how the animals have reacted this allows us to
animals have reacted this allows us to
animals have reacted this allows us to do some good and inform conservation
do some good and inform conservation
do some good and inform conservation management and just this last year the
management and just this last year the
management and just this last year the Ross Sea became the world’s largest
Ross Sea became the world’s largest
Ross Sea became the world’s largest marine protected area and more than 1.5
marine protected area and more than 1.5
marine protected area and more than 1.5 million square kilometers what this
million square kilometers what this
million square kilometers what this means for Weddell seals is that while
means for Weddell seals is that while
means for Weddell seals is that while they’re working hard to make ends meet
they’re working hard to make ends meet
they’re working hard to make ends meet Justin Lenz we tagged at Ross Island use
Justin Lenz we tagged at Ross Island use
Justin Lenz we tagged at Ross Island use large portions of the
large portions of the
large portions of the see they got about 500 kilometers to
see they got about 500 kilometers to
see they got about 500 kilometers to areas where there’s more prey and we’ve
areas where there’s more prey and we’ve
areas where there’s more prey and we’ve seen the seals go out that far and
seen the seals go out that far and
seen the seals go out that far and others have seen the whales and the
others have seen the whales and the
others have seen the whales and the Penguins go out that far so we know that
Penguins go out that far so we know that
Penguins go out that far so we know that these areas are important biodiversity
these areas are important biodiversity
these areas are important biodiversity hotspots and these areas are now some of
hotspots and these areas are now some of
hotspots and these areas are now some of those that are now protected
those that are now protected
those that are now protected understanding where these animals don’t
understanding where these animals don’t
understanding where these animals don’t have that wiggle room to cope with
have that wiggle room to cope with
have that wiggle room to cope with change ultimately has the potential to
change ultimately has the potential to
change ultimately has the potential to tell us whether our conservation efforts
tell us whether our conservation efforts
tell us whether our conservation efforts are being effective understanding how
are being effective understanding how
are being effective understanding how animals here make a living gives us the
animals here make a living gives us the
animals here make a living gives us the knowledge and power the capacity to
knowledge and power the capacity to
knowledge and power the capacity to start protecting our last pristine
start protecting our last pristine
start protecting our last pristine ecosystems in today’s changing world and
ecosystems in today’s changing world and
ecosystems in today’s changing world and that is what the southernmost mammal can
that is what the southernmost mammal can
that is what the southernmost mammal can tell us about living through change
tell us about living through change
tell us about living through change thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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