Wildlife Interaction Guidelines

Wildlife interaction guidelines in Antarctica are not suggestions -- they are legally enforceable under the Protocol on Environmental Protection. Violations can result in fines, criminal prosecution, and banning from future Antarctic travel.

General Principles

1. Animals have the right of way. If an animal approaches you, remain still and let it pass. Do not pursue, block, or redirect any animal's movement
2. Minimize your footprint. Move slowly, speak quietly, avoid sudden movements
3. Never touch. No contact with any Antarctic animal, alive or dead, under any circumstances
4. Never feed. Introducing food sources disrupts natural behavior and can spread disease

Distance Guidelines

Penguins

• Minimum approach distance: 5 meters
• Nesting colonies: 5 meters from the edge of the colony; do not enter colony boundaries
• Penguin highways: Stand well clear of established penguin pathways between colonies and the sea. Penguins have absolute right of way on their highways
• Chick season: Extra vigilance December-February when chicks are present; do not separate adults from chicks
• If a penguin approaches you: Stand still, lower your profile by crouching, enjoy the encounter from where you are

Seals

• Minimum approach distance: 15 meters for fur seals (aggressive during breeding), 5 meters for other species
• Fur seals: Males are territorial and can charge without warning. Keep escape routes clear at all times during November-January breeding season
• Leopard seals: Maintain 15 meters. Do not approach from the water side. Alert expedition team if a leopard seal is in the water near landing or zodiac operations
• Elephant seals: 5 meters. They appear sluggish but can move extremely fast. Never position yourself between a seal and the sea
• Weddell seals: 5 meters. The calmest Antarctic seal, but still a wild animal

Seabirds

• Albatross and giant petrels: 5 meters from nests; these species are extremely sensitive to disturbance during incubation
• Skuas: 5 meters from nests. Skuas will divebomb if you approach too close -- retreat if attacked
• Blue-eyed shags: 5 meters from breeding colonies
• General rule: If any bird shows signs of agitation (alarm calls, display postures, attempted flight from nest), you are too close. Back away immediately

Whales

• Zodiac minimum distance: 30 meters (boats must not pursue whales)
• If whales approach the zodiac: Cut engines, wait for them to pass
• No swimming or snorkeling in areas where whales have been sighted

Prohibited Behaviors

• Picking up, holding, or petting any animal
• Using flash photography within 5 meters of any animal
• Throwing stones, snowballs, or objects near animals
• Playing recorded animal sounds
• Using bait or food to attract wildlife
• Standing between an animal and its route to the sea
• Entering roped-off nesting areas

Reporting

Report any of the following to your expedition team immediately:

• Injured or distressed wildlife
• Wildlife entangled in human debris
• Visitors violating approach distances
• Dead wildlife that appears to have non-natural causes