Whaling and wildlife

by Simon Nash for Surviving the southern whalers, 6 December 2008

For over 60 years South Georgia meant whaling and over 175,000 dead whales were processed on the island. The largest whale ever caught was landed here. A 33.58 metre long blue whale, it was larger than a dinosaur.

The whaling station closed in 1965 and Simon Nash looks at whether the island’s wildlife has now reclaimed the seas where this industry once took place.

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Whaling and wildlife

Has South Georgia's wildlife returned after decades of hunting?

Seals seem to have returned to South Georgia in large numbers, but how do scientists get a more accurate picture of their breeding success? Simon finds out how the British Antarctic Survey counts South Georgia’s fur seals.

Published 27 April 2009

More details

Programme

Frozen Planet

Expedition

Surviving the southern whalers

Other Stories from this expedition

Previous story:

Shackleton's Legacy

Next story:

The whalers unwanted gift

Meet the explorer

Simon Nash

Simon is a keen diver and he specialises in underwater filming. His deepest dive was to 2,650m to film hydrothermal vents for The Abyss Live.

Other Stories By Simon Nash

Previous story:

Shackleton's Legacy

Surviving the southern whalers, 24 April 2009

Next story:

The whalers unwanted gift

Surviving the southern whalers, 12 May 2009

Where on Earth?

Map showing South Georgia

© Microsoft Virtual Earth, image courtesy of Navteq

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