PREDATION OF ADELIE PENGUINS (PYGOSCELIS-ADELIAE) BY LEOPARD SEALS (HYDRURGA-LEPTONYX) IN PRYDZ BAY, ANTARCTICA

The behaviour of leopard seals, Hydrurga leptonyx, feeding on Adelie p enguins, Pygoscelis adeliae, was investigated between November 1993 an d January 1994 in Prydz Bay, Antarctica. The seals were distributed al ong the fast-ice edge in locations where departing penguins congregate d. Five different hunting techniques were observed, four of which were used through most of the summer. Individual leopard seals favoured sp ecific hunting techniques. Hitherto, penguin hunting was believed to b e carried out primarily by a few male seals; in this study, however, t he predation observed involved many different individuals of both sexe s. It is estimated that six leopard seals feeding in this area over a period of 120 days would consume 2.7% of the adult penguin population.