Marion Island may be thousands of kilometres from the South African mainland, but it buzzes with activity: tiny, and large fluttering, crawling, nesting, scurrying movements. In this episode, we dig deeper into the island’s living world to explore the extraordinary creatures that inhabit this subantarctic terrain. From insects smaller than a fingernail to birds that undertake vast journeys across the Southern Ocean, and even the mice whose presence has altered the ecosystem, we examine some of the animals that live in this harsh environment.
Why are these species important? What makes their survival so exceptional? And what insights are scientists gaining about biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological vulnerability at one of the planet’s most remote research locations? Using vivid descriptions, expert knowledge, and field observations, this episode explores the diverse life forms coexisting on this windswept island and the vital research aimed at protecting them. We start with the tiniest inhabitants and gradually broaden our focus to include some of the feathered and furry creatures that define life here.
We thank the following guests on this episode:
-Ms Camilla Smyth, Mr Chandler Patel, Mr Andile Khuzwayo, Ms Janu Rau, Ms Rhiannon Gill and Ms Eleanor Weideman from the South African Polar Research Institute.
-Dr Daniela Monsanto from the University of Johannesburg
-Ms Naomi Monk from the University of Pretoria
-Dr Keith Springer from Mouse Free Marion
For more information on the work discussed in this episode, visit:
-BirdLife South Africa: www.birdlife.org.za/ and Peter Ryan’s book: https://shop.birdlife.org.za/product/guide-to-seabirds-of-southern-africa-new-edition/
-Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: www.dffe.gov.za/antarctica-and-so…rn-oceans-islands
-Mouse Free Marion: mousefreemarion.org
-South African National Antarctic Programme: www.sanap.ac.za/
-South African Polar Research Infrastructure: www.sapri.ac.za/
This season is funded by the NRF-South African Research Chair in Science Communication, located within the Centre for Science Communication at Stellenbosch University. Prof Mehita Iqani is the Chairholder. | www.imidibaniso.co.za
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Marion Island may be thousands of kilometres from the South African mainland, but it buzzes with activity: tiny, and large fluttering, crawling, nesting, scurrying movements. In this episode, we dig deeper into the island’s living world to explore the extraordinary creatures that inhabit this subantarctic terrain. From insects smaller than a fingernail to birds that undertake vast journeys across the Southern Ocean, and even the mice whose presence has altered the ecosystem, we examine some of the animals that live in this harsh environment.
Why are these species important? What makes their survival so exceptional? And what insights are scientists gaining about biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological vulnerability at one of the planet’s most remote research locations? Using vivid descriptions, expert knowledge, and field observations, this episode explores the diverse life forms coexisting on this windswept island and the vital research aimed at protecting them. We start with the tiniest inhabitants and gradually broaden our focus to include some of the feathered and furry creatures that define life here.
We thank the following guests on this episode:
-Ms Camilla Smyth, Mr Chandler Patel, Mr Andile Khuzwayo, Ms Janu Rau, Ms Rhiannon Gill and Ms Eleanor Weideman from the South African Polar Research Institute.
-Dr Daniela Monsanto from the University of Johannesburg
-Ms Naomi Monk from the University of Pretoria
-Dr Keith Springer from Mouse Free Marion
For more information on the work discussed in this episode, visit:
-BirdLife South Africa: www.birdlife.org.za/ and Peter Ryan’s book: https://shop.birdlife.org.za/product/guide-to-seabirds-of-southern-africa-new-edition/
-Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: www.dffe.gov.za/antarctica-and-so…rn-oceans-islands
-Mouse Free Marion: mousefreemarion.org
-South African National Antarctic Programme: www.sanap.ac.za/
-South African Polar Research Infrastructure: www.sapri.ac.za/
This season is funded by the NRF-South African Research Chair in Science Communication, located within the Centre for Science Communication at Stellenbosch University. Prof Mehita Iqani is the Chairholder. | www.imidibaniso.co.za
With only five days’ notice, Mehita was thrown into a whirlwind of preparation: rushing between medical clearances, work arrangements, and the essential question: what does one even pack for a month on the ice-cold Southern Ocean? In this unexpected turn of events, she found herself standing on East Pier beneath the warm autumn sun, flanked by two kit bags and staring in awe at her home for the next 33 days - the SA Agulhas II. Her destination: Marion Island. Hear her story of sudden departures, scientific voyages, and the quiet awe of life changing somewhere in the middle of learning about the science of the subantarctic ocean.
The South African National Antarctic Programs Artist and Writers Project was devised and is run by Prof Charne Lavery at the University of Pretoria and Prof Jean Brundrit from the University of Cape Town. It is a pilot program designed to improve public engagement with South Africa's Antarctic involvement through the arts and humanities. The Project is funded and supported by the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African Government. This episode introduces the SA Agulhas II, South Africa’s national scientific research vessel, and Marion Island, South Africa’s subantarctic territory.
We want to thank the following guests on this episode:
- Mr Marcel van der Berg and Dr Azwianewu Makhado from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
- Mr Yinhla Shihlomule, Ms Eleanor Weideman, Mr Chandler Patel, and Mr Peter Cunningham from the South African Polar Research Infrastructure.
- Prof. Guillaume Delpech from the Universite’ Paris Saclay
- Prof. David Hedding from the University of South Africa
- Ms Nicola Marneweck from the University of Pretoria
- Ms Kanyisa Makubalo from the South African Weather Service.
For more information on the work discussed in this episode, visit:
- Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: https://www.dffe.gov.za/antarctica-and-southern-oceans-islands
-Marine Information Management System: https://ocims.environment.gov.za/DataResources.html
- South African National Antarctic Programme: https://www.sanap.ac.za/
- South African Polar Research Infrastructure: https://www.sapri.ac.za/
- South African Weather Service: https://www.weathersa.co.za/
This season is funded by the NRF-South African Research Chair in Science Communication, located within the Centre for Science Communication at Stellenbosch University. Prof Mehita Iqani is the Chairholder. | www.imidibaniso.co.za
The Academic Citizen
Marion Island may be thousands of kilometres from the South African mainland, but it buzzes with activity: tiny, and large fluttering, crawling, nesting, scurrying movements. In this episode, we dig deeper into the island’s living world to explore the extraordinary creatures that inhabit this subantarctic terrain. From insects smaller than a fingernail to birds that undertake vast journeys across the Southern Ocean, and even the mice whose presence has altered the ecosystem, we examine some of the animals that live in this harsh environment.
Why are these species important? What makes their survival so exceptional? And what insights are scientists gaining about biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological vulnerability at one of the planet’s most remote research locations? Using vivid descriptions, expert knowledge, and field observations, this episode explores the diverse life forms coexisting on this windswept island and the vital research aimed at protecting them. We start with the tiniest inhabitants and gradually broaden our focus to include some of the feathered and furry creatures that define life here.
We thank the following guests on this episode:
-Ms Camilla Smyth, Mr Chandler Patel, Mr Andile Khuzwayo, Ms Janu Rau, Ms Rhiannon Gill and Ms Eleanor Weideman from the South African Polar Research Institute.
-Dr Daniela Monsanto from the University of Johannesburg
-Ms Naomi Monk from the University of Pretoria
-Dr Keith Springer from Mouse Free Marion
For more information on the work discussed in this episode, visit:
-BirdLife South Africa: www.birdlife.org.za/ and Peter Ryan’s book: https://shop.birdlife.org.za/product/guide-to-seabirds-of-southern-africa-new-edition/
-Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment: www.dffe.gov.za/antarctica-and-so…rn-oceans-islands
-Mouse Free Marion: mousefreemarion.org
-South African National Antarctic Programme: www.sanap.ac.za/
-South African Polar Research Infrastructure: www.sapri.ac.za/
This season is funded by the NRF-South African Research Chair in Science Communication, located within the Centre for Science Communication at Stellenbosch University. Prof Mehita Iqani is the Chairholder. | www.imidibaniso.co.za
