A Wandering Albatross is spreading its wing in the tussock grass of Albatross Island, South Georgia Island. Years ago I saw Sir David Attenborough in television visiting a remote breeding ground of Wandering Albatrosses. A dream came thru when I experienced the colony at Albatross Island -Just fantastic!The Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) has the largest wingspan of any living bird, with an average wingspan of 3.1 meters (10.2 ft) and some individuals have a 3.7 meter wingspan (12 ft). Albatross Island is now closed to visitors due to a dramatic decline in number of breeding birds. Only the nearby Prion Island is still open, but for how long? 5-10 % of the global population of Wandering albatrosses is killed every year mostly due to illegal long line fishing after tuna and other fish. Soon it will be impossible for everyone but scientist to experience these magnificent birds in their breeding colonies.It is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A number of people and organizations are trying to save the albatross from extinction.
Links:Wikipedia: Wandering AlbatrossBirdlife - Save the albatrossForest and bird - Save the albatross
20030107-5002-wandering-albatross-tussock-grass.jpg2893 x 1929 pixels Sidst ændret d. 13-05-2010Wandering Albatross spreading wings in the tussock grassA Wandering Albatross is spreading its wing in the tussock grass of Albatross Island, South Georgia Island. It has the largest wingspan of any bird wandering Albatross, albatrosses, south georgia island, wing span, extinction, Diomedea exulans