Satellite Tracking of the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans around Australia and in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

The flight paths of five Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans chionoptera were followed using satellite telemetry. Three were successfully followed from Bellambi, New South Wales, around southern Australia to off Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia, and across the Indian Ocean. Satellite contact was lost with one 800 km west of Australia and with another to the north of the Crozet Islands. The third bird returned to nest 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 200 nautical miles from the coast.