Viking found a brand new chinstrap penguin colony on a latest expedition cruise to Antarctica on Viking Octantis.
The brand new colony, which was beforehand unknown to science, was found on Diaz Rock close to Astrolabe Island, in Antarctica. Astrolabe Island is a 3 mile lengthy island within the Bransfield Straight of the Trinity Peninsula.
In the course of the go to, Viking’s scientific companion, Oceanites, the main area analysis entity in Antarctic penguin monitoring, carried out a visible and thermal aerial survey. The fieldwork documented the primary survey in practically 40 years of the recognized chinstrap penguin colony of Astrolabe Island and within the course of, found the extra colony on Diaz Rock.
“With our third season in Antarctica underway, we’re happy to have supported one other important scientific growth that may permit for additional understanding of the area,” mentioned Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “From the considerate design of our expedition vessels, every with a well-appointed Science Lab, to our partnerships with a number of the world’s most prestigious establishments, our intention has all the time been to supply our company and scientists with alternatives for significant discovery throughout every voyage. We stay up for supporting different essential analysis alternatives on future voyages.”
Viking has two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, that help scientific discovery as they cruise around the globe.
“The Antarctic peninsula is well-traveled and explored, and it isn’t typically we discover a new penguin colony,” mentioned Dr. Grant Humphries, Director of Science at Oceanites. “Our partnership with Viking opened a brand new alternative to not solely depend the chinstrap penguins on Astrolabe Island for the primary time because the Eighties, however it additionally allowed us to find and map a colony of chinstrap penguins beforehand unknown to us. This work will permit us to get a greater understanding of how Antarctic penguin inhabitants dynamics are shifting in an ever-changing world.”
Throughout every expedition voyage on Viking, a 36 individual expedition staff lead company by significant scientific analysis, offering guiding and interpretation throughout shore excursions and delivering world-class lectures. The staff is comprised of visiting researchers from companion establishments.
“Viking’s expedition vessels proceed to showcase the potential of reimagined ‘ships of alternative’ and the analysis capabilities accessible for scientific efforts,” mentioned Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, Head of Science and Sustainability at Viking. “With scientists from our companion organizations on board, like Oceanites, we will conduct actual, significant analysis within the areas. We stay up for persevering with our partnership with Oceanites and different science companions to deliver extra findings ahead sooner or later.”
Viking two expedition ships affords voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Nice Lakes.
The 378 visitor ships had been particularly constructed to sail to a number of the distant components of the earth. In addition they supply consolation, security, and unrivalled vary of actions in distant locations.
