13. Exploring Antarctica's Wildlife from Space

Satellites found fewer Weddell seals than expected. Dr. Michelle LaRue explains how satellite wildlife monitoring is transforming the study of Antarctic wildlife, including Weddell seals and emperor penguins. Through the Satellites Over Seals citizen science project, roughly 300,000 volunteers helped researchers estimate about 202,000 female Weddell seals, substantially fewer than an earlier estimate. Importantly, that difference does not by itself prove a population decline. The episode explores the seals’ patchy distribution, their relationships with nearby penguin colonies, and how satellite imagery of Antarctica can establish better baselines for future conservation research.Episode Guest: Dr. Michelle LaRueFind more on Dr. LaRue at the University of Canterbury Visit Dr. LaRue’s websiteFind Dr. LaRue’s children’s book, Emperor Penguin (Young Zoologist)Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media WebsiteFollow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmediaHosted, produced, written, and edited by Clark Marchese Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong. Theme music by Nela Ruiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.