SATELLITE TRACKING OF THE WANDERING ALBATROSS DIOMEDEA-EXULANS AROUNDAUSTRALIA AND IN THE INDIAN-OCEAN

The flight paths of five Wandering Albatrosses Dionzedea exulans chion optera were followed using satellite telemetry. Three were successfull y followed from Bellambi, New South Wales, around southern Australia t o off Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia, and across the Indian Ocean. Sa tellite contact was lost with one 800 km west of Australia and with an other to the north of the Crozet Islands. The third bird returned to n est on Possession Island, Crozet Islands, a flight. of about 20 000 km in 103 days. All birds moved around Australia principally in pelagic waters within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone that extends to 2 00 nautical miles from the coast.