WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
During 34 survey days in the 2025–2026 austral summer, researchers recorded 68 leopard-seal sightings representing 33 unique individuals in South Bay; nine animals were resighted. Most identified animals were adults in good or excellent body condition, and observations included feeding on penguins and seabirds, probable krill feeding, and breeding-associated behavior.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
A wide-ranging predator can still concentrate activity in particular coastal places. If repeated use persists, site-level monitoring and disturbance management around aggregation areas may matter alongside population-scale Southern Ocean conservation.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
This is one field season at one Antarctic bay. Repeated sightings and reproductive behavior do not yet establish long-term site fidelity, a breeding colony, or population trend, and survey effort was constrained by local weather and access.
SOURCE
Polar Biology
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