PLANET EARTH Shallow Seas

As you travel towards the poles north or south, the colder, stormier seas can become even richer. Midway between South Africa and the South Pole lies the isolated island of Marion. The island sits in the infamous roaring forties where incessant gale force winds draw nutrients up from the depths ensuring plenty of food for king penguins.



The kings are returning from a three day fishing trip, with food for their chicks. But first they must cross a crowded beach, threading their way between gigantic and bad tempered elephant seals. The two hundred thousand penguins breeding here are testament to the richness of the fishing. King chicks are dependent on their mothers for over a year and this puts a great deal of pressure on the parents.



Being flightless, the returning penguins must cross the open beach on foot. Fur seals, that have come to the beach to breed, are waiting for them. Fur seals normally live on krill but these have now acquired an unexpected taste for blubber rich penguins. Penguins may be featherweights by comparison but they have razor sharp bills and a feisty character.



The seal could easily lose an eye. The only safe way to grab a penguin is from behind, and the birds are well aware of that. Both animals are clumsy on this terrain but the penguin has the more to lose. Made it. Two out of three penguins survive the seal attacks and succeed in reaching their ever hungry chicks.