ALBATROSS ON BURROWED TIME
FUND-RAISING IN ANTARCTICA
Increased tourism in Antarctica has given rise to various concerns regarding potential environmental impact. Polar expedition specialist Peregrine Adventures take their responsibility to minimise environmental impact extremely seriously. Some of the ways they promote ‘best practice’ is by using only small expedition vessels, educating passengers in ways to minimise their personal impact whilst still fully enjoying the wonders of the Polar regions and by engaging in a number of responsible tourism initiatives. Recently a collaboration between Peregrine Adventures and WWF-Australia aims to help save the threatened population of Grey-headed Albatross on the World Heritage-listed sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.
Macquarie Island, 1500km south of Australia, is home to nearly four million seabirds and is one of the world’s most important seabird nesting habitats. It provides a haven for four threatened albatross species including the only Australian nesting site of the Grey-headed Albatross. The rabbit population has exploded to over 100,000, resulting in the island’s lush tussock grasses being severely depleted, causing erosion and large landslips – 20 landslips occurred in September 2006 alone, one of which killed hundreds of King Penguins. Unless the rabbit plague is controlled, the Grey-headed Albatross will undoubtedly be driven to extinction in Australia. Peregrine and WWF-Australia donated $100,000, in part raised through fund-raising auctions on board the company’s ships in Antarctica, to kick-start key parts of a pest-eradication plan developed by Tasmanian National Parks in conjunction with the Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments, following a two-year hiatus.
Peregrine Adventures offer a comprehensive programme of Polar voyages including:
A 10-night Antarctic Explorer – next departure from Ushuaia 8th December 07.
Board the Peregrine Voyager in Ushuaia and set sail through the Beagle Channel for the South Shetland Islands and waterways of the Antarctic Peninsula. Cruise through some of the most dramatic scenery the ‘White Continent’ has to offer especially at Paradise Harbour or Hope Bay, where icebergs of all shapes and sizes, calved from glaciers, erode into awesome natural sculptures.
The expedition voyage costs from £2,950 p/p including transfers, full board accommodation onboard ship, all shore excursions, lecture programme and expertly guided wildlife viewing.
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