Prey and seasonal abundance of killer whales at sub-Antartic Marion Island

• Published in: African Journal of Marine Science
• Main Authors: Reisinger, Ryan Rudolf, De Bruyn, P.J. Nico, Tosh, Cheryl A., Oosthuizen, Wessel Christiaan, Mufanadzo, N. Thomas, Bester, Marthan Nieuwoudt
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2011
• Subjects: Orcinus orca; Seasonal occurrence; Killer whale > Food > Prince Edward Islands > Marion Island; Predation (Biology) > Prince Edward Islands > Marion Island; Seals (Animals) > Predators of > Prince Edward Islands > Marion Island; Antarctic; Antarc*; antartic*; Elephant Seals; Killer Whale; Marine Mammal Monitoring; Marion Island; Mirounga leonina; Orca; Prince Edward Islands; Killer whale
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17938; https://doi.org/10.2989/1814232X.2011.572356

The diet of killer whales Orcinus orca was investigated from 48 predation events observed during 823 sightings at sub-Antarctic Marion Island between 2006 and 2009. From these events, there were 10 cases where prey could be identified. Killer whales fed on fur seals Arctocephalus tropicalis, elephant seals Mirounga leonina and penguins. Constant effort (dedicated) observations (259 hours, 2008–2009) showed that the peak in killer whale abundance was between September and December with a secondary peak between April and May, which coincided with peaks in the abundance of seals and penguins. The Department of Science and Technology (administered through the National Research Foundation) for funding the marine mammal monitoring programme at Marion Island. http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tams20 nf2012