Have you ever wondered what it would be like to explore Antarctica with a team of whale experts? We own. That's why we've partnered with WWF-Australia to run two groundbreaking expeditions to the ends of the Earth.
Imagine crossing the Antarctic Circle with a team of scientists from the World Wildlife Fund - Australia. These experts are the icing (pun intended) on the cake when it comes to truly immersing yourself Antarctic experience; They can help you learn about whales and fascinate you with the facts, all while doing vital research on these amazing ocean giants.
We sat down with Chris Johnson, global lead for dolphin and whale conservation at the WWF, to share what you can expect from this A once in a lifetime expedition.
What kind of things will people see on this expedition?
Antarctica is epic. It is the largest land area on Earth with over 9,000 marine species - and more are being discovered every year.
The Antarctic Current flows clockwise from west to east around the continent and runs parallel north to the western peninsula. This means that its icy waters are highly productive and abound with wildlife, from humpback whales to penguins and seals, feeding on huge schools of their prey – krill. It really is a sight to behold.
We'll see a bunch of types Such as humpback whales, minke whales in Antarctica, and killer whales. Humpback whales make an annual migration to the South Pole, which is essential for them to feed on krill, rest and add the energy stores needed to sustain them on their next voyage to their tropical breeding grounds. But we might see other species if we're lucky, like Antarctic blue whales (the largest animal on Earth), sperm whales, southern right whales, and fin whales.
We'll also see a range of other wildlife such as adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, a variety of seabirds and an array of seals, such as the cheetah, Weddell and crabeater.
At the end of each day, the research team will share updates on our fieldwork and encounters with whales, give in-depth TED-style talks and share video footage from our drones and tag work.
Tell us a little bit about WWF's work to conserve whales in Antarctica.
WWF has been working with whale conservation partners for more than 50 years. Whales are impressive but difficult to study in the open ocean. Because of this, their distribution and critical habitats are still being discovered in the oceans—the areas where they feed, mate, give birth, nurse young, socialize or migrate for their survival. This is why we have invested in innovative technologies to better understand the lives of ocean giants.
New technologies allow us to study whales and the oceans in new ways. Over recent years, the WWF has supported fieldwork such as using digital tags and drones to understand how and where whales feed to detect their favorite hotspots. It gives us a window into their world to understand the health of their populations, how they are affected by climate change, and how we can protect their vital habitats in oceans around the world.
Why is whale conservation such an important business?
Mounting evidence shows that whales are essential to healthy oceans and the planet, so we need these animals to recover and thrive.
During their migrations, whales fertilize the marine ecosystems they move through and support the marine life they inhabit. Their plumes of feces fuel the production of phytoplankton, which capture about 40 percent of all carbon dioxide produced and produce more than half of the oxygen in the atmosphere. When they die, whales sink to the bottom of the sea, pumping huge amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere for centuries. Altogether, over the course of its life, one whale captures the same amount of carbon as thousands of trees.
This means that by restoring whale populations, we can help restore ocean ecosystems and mitigate and build resilience to climate change. It helps nature help itself, and all of us who depend on it.
There has been a lot of talk lately about whether travelers should go to Antarctica at all. What are your thoughts on that?
Antarctica is the only place on the planet that has been set aside as a "peace and science" reserve. No country has it, and we must all work together to preserve it.
Collaboration is the soul of Antarctic Science and is the most effective way to achieve impact. Across the WWF, we have worked with a range of research teams including the University of California Santa Cruz, the British Antarctic Survey, the Australian Antarctic Department, Duke University and other partners such as tourism operators such as Intrepid Travel to help access important field sites while sharing the science at work with tourists.
Working with collaborators, we are bringing this critical knowledge to policymakers to protect 30 percent of the seas around Antarctica by 2030, and create a safety net for wildlife.
Over the past 20 years, I have studied and documented whale populations around the world and the high seas. However, nothing quite beats working among the giants of the Antarctic while surrounded by mountains rising from the sea and cruising in colorful icebergs of all shapes and sizes along the peninsula. The scale of nature here is overwhelming and inspiring.
Traveling to the South Pole is an opportunity to share this very special place with the public - and an inspiration for those lucky enough to visit it.
See the great white continent for yourself alongside the WWF-Australia experts at Intrepid's WWF giants in Antarctica And the WWF's Journey to Antarctica Circle and Giants trips.
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