Abstract
Abstract The history, distribution and numbers of southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) in New Zealand are reviewed, The small populations that breed on Campbell and Antipodes Islands, and the very few that occasionally pup on the New Zealand mainland, are part of the larger Macquarie Island stock. A comparison of recent and earlier counts has revealed a 97% reduction in the breeding population at Campbell Island since 1947. There has been a decline in the number and size of breeding harems, and in pup production: from 191 pups in 1947 down to 5 in 1986. Little is known of the Antipodes Island population but, with 113 pups in 1978, this may now be the main breeding population in New Zealand. Breeding populations at Macquarie Island, and at many other locations throughout the subantarctic zone of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, have also recently declined. Reasons for these changes are unknown, but possible causal factors in the marine environment are discussed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
