Learning from life in the waters

Abstract

Imagine an island far removed from any human encroachment that teems with animal life. Such a place exists: it is called Marion Island and forms part of the Prince Edward islands archipelago, situated between South Africa and Antarctica. Under South African legislation, the archipelago is regarded as a ‘Special Nature Reserve’, possessing the highest level of protective status and set aside solely for the purposes of biodiversity conservation and research. Marion Island is home to unique flora and fauna and this uninterrupted marine habitat is a haven for breeding seals, seabirds and a resident population of killer whales.