South Georgia

140,000,000 BCE - present

The mountainous and remote South Georgia in the South Atlantic Ocean is known for its dramatic peaks, hundreds of glaciers, and unique arctic ecosystem. It boosts of distinct wildlife, including thriving bird populations, from albatrosses and penguins to endemic species such as the South Georgia pipit and South Georgia pintail. Due to its cold climate, the island only supports hardy grasses and other tundra plants, including tussac grasses, mosses, lichens, and algae. Fur and elephant seal colonies dot the island’s beach coastline. The marine life in the region is characterized by giant kelp, krill, sea urchins, sea slugs, bottom-dwelling fish, and many whale species that migrate here during the summers. The wildlife abundance drew sealers and whalers to South Georgia, both of which caused the respective species to be heavily exploited and led to the introduction of invasive species to the island. Today, South Georgia is an important breeding ground for arctic birds and marine mammals.

Most Pressing Issues

Sealing

Sealing began on South Georgia in the late-1700s, first targeting fur seals for their pelts. By 1825, an estimated 1.2 million fur seals had been killed and by the beginning of the 20th century, they were hunted to virtual extinction. Sealers then turned to elephant seals, hunting them for their blubber oil. Sealing finally ceased during the mid-1960s, allowing these seal species to make a moderate recovery.

Whaling

Whaling began on South Georgia at the turn of the 20th century and became a center of the world’s whaling industry. At its height, over 3,000 men stationed on the island during the summers to hunt for whale and process the carcasses for blubber. This caused the whale populations to eventually collapse, and the stations were abandoned in 1965. In addition to contributing to the decline of these whale populations, the industry caused pollution on the island.

Invasive Species

The onset of the sealing and whaling industries led to the introduction of invasive species that became a serious environmental issue during the 20th century on South Georgia. Particularly brown rats, which were introduced during the first sealing epoch, and reindeer, which were deliberately brought during the establishment of permanent human settlement on the island to be hunted for game. Both species greatly impacted native wildlife on the island and led to unprecedented eradication programs.

How You Can Help

South Georgia Heritage Trust

The South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) aims to work with all who wish to preserve the island’s natural and historical heritage for future generations – to redress past damage to its environment, to protect its wildlife now and in the future, and to preserve the human heritage of the island which so clearly shows the best and worst of humanity.

Friends of South Georgia Island

The Friends of South Georgia Island organization was set up for the visiting public who wish to preserve the island’s natural and historical heritage for future generations – to redress the damage to its environment done in the past, and to preserve the human heritage of the island which so clearly shows the best and worst of humanity.

Sources:

Robert Headland, The island of South Georgia (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992).

“Overview of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands,” Redfern Natural History Productions, 8:22, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cURHd3yDLw.

“Sealing,” South Georgia Heritage Trust, https://www.sght.org/sealing/.

Johnny Briggs, “Whaling and Seal Hunting Defined South Georgia –but then crashed,” The Pew Charitable Trusts, July 13, 2014, https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2017/07/13/whaling-and-seal-hunting-defined-south-georgia-but-then-crashed.