SCS: Subantarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis)
The breeding colonies of the Subantarctic fur seal,
formerly known as the
Amsterdam Island
fur seal, are generally found on temperate islands in the South
Atlantic and Indian Oceans, north of the Antarctic Polar Front. The largest colonies occur
at Gough, Amsterdam and the Prince Edward Islands. Colonies have also recently been
established at Tristan da Cunha, St Paul, άes Crozet and Macquarie Islands. Wandering
individuals, mostly young males, have been sighted as far north as Brazil, Angola, the
Juan Fernᮤez Islands and the Comoro Islands, while individuals are also occasionally
seen in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. At least 80,000 pups are born annually,
giving a world-wide population of between 277,000 and 356,000.
Photo: Miguel Iez,
Fundacion Cethus
Status
The species was hunted almost to extinction in the 19th century for
its fur, and some island colonies were totally wiped out. Small-scale killing for fishing
bait and skins took place at Gough Island until the 1950s. All of the colonies are now
protected by legislation. Since being afforded protection, Subantarctic fur seals have
started to colonise new locations and most populations now show growth rates of 13-15% or
more. The Subantarctic fur seal is listed as an
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