Foraging routes of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) investigated by the concurrent use of satellite tracking and time-depth recorders

• Main Authors: Bonadonna, Francesco, Lea, Marie-Anne, Guinet, C.
• Other Authors: Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Antartic Wildlife Research Unit, School of Zoology, University of Tasmania
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2000
• Subjects: [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology; [SDE.ES]Environmental Sciences/Environmental and Society; Antarctic; Austral; Kerguelen; Indian; Antarc*; Antarctic Fur Seals; Arctocephalus gazella; Polar Biology
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-00193337

International audience Little is known about movement behaviour in terms of route choice in Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella). We deployed satellite transmit- ters and time-depth recorders simultaneously on 11 animals, and time-depth recorders with a speed recorder on 10 animals, to investigate the foraging routes of Antarctic fur seals belonging to a colony located at Iles Kerguelen (Southern Indian Ocean). The study took place during the 1997/1998 austral summer, and results indicate a preferred foraging area, with two main strat- egies in route choice apparent during foraging trips. In one strategy seals tended to reach an apparently known foraging ground and stopped there to feed. In the other strategy, animals performed looped trips, foraging en route and probably searching for a food patch better than the one previously exploited.