Leopard Seals in the Ice Graveyard

Editorial Summary

Paula Gardner describes a zodiac excursion through an area known as the iceberg graveyard near Booth Island. Accompanied by a naturalist named Dennis, the group navigated through ice structures to observe local wildlife. The excursion focused heavily on leopard seals, which Gardner notes were abundant, likely due to the presence of penguins in the area. The creator details how the seals engaged in various behaviors such as laying on the ice, flipping their tails, and yawning. A significant highlight of the trip occurred when a leopard seal surfaced directly beneath the zodiac and remained with the group for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. This interaction allowed Gardner to use an underwater camera to capture the seal swimming in the clear water. Gardner concludes that the experience was an incredible show, noting that the leopard seal is an apex predator in these waters, surpassed only by the killer whale. The trip provided a unique opportunity to observe these animals checking out their environment in perfect conditions.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.