Humpback Whale in Antarctica

Humpback whale off Elephant Island, Antarctica.
Whales are abundant during the Antarctic summer, where they come to feed on krill. Antarctic waters are home to humpback, fin, minke, blue and sei whales. Whales are easily found near Elephant Island, where a big continental shelf mixes up the water and makes it rich in food. Just like penguins, whales are dependent on krill, as their main food source.

Greenpeace helps facilitate scientific research in Antarctica to investigate the impacts of the climate crisis as part of the Protect the Oceans Expedition, a year long pole to pole ship tour, campaigning for the establishment of ocean sanctuaries to safeguard this frozen region and its penguins, seals and whales, and to help address the climate emergency.

(This picture was taken in 2020 during the Antarctic leg of the Pole to Pole expedition under the Dutch permit number RWS-2019/40813)