23. Elephant Seals Can Be Scientists Too with Dr. Clive McMahon

23. Elephant Seals Can Be Scientists Too with Dr. Clive McMahon

From South Pole by Pine Forest Media

April 9, 2026 · 49 min · Episode 23

About this episode

This episode discusses how elephant seals are aiding scientific research in the Southern Ocean.

Elephant seals are helping to map the Southern Ocean. These extraordinary deep-diving animals are helping scientists study the Southern Ocean in places humans can barely reach, especially during the Antarctic winter. In this episode, Dr. Clive McMahon explains how southern elephant seals carry ocean sensors that collect real-time data on temperature, salinity, depth, and ocean productivity. The conversation explores elephant seal behavior, population decline, climate change, Antarctic bottom water, and the role these animals play in improving oceanography, weather forecasting, and climate science. If you’re interested in Antarctica, marine biology, elephant seals, Southern Ocean research, ocean data, or how animals can contribute to science, this episode offers a fascinating look at wildlife as scientific collaborators. Episode Guest : Dr. Clive McMahon Review the research publication discussed in the episode here Visit Dr. McMahon’s publications on Google Scholar  Visit the website of the Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences Episode Transcript  and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia Hosted, produced…

People in this episode

Host: Clark Marchese

Guest: Dr. Clive McMahon

Topics covered

  • elephant seals
  • Southern Ocean
  • marine biology
  • climate change
  • oceanography

Keywords

  • elephant seals
  • Southern Ocean research
  • marine biology
  • climate science
  • ocean data

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pine Forest Media

Places: Southern Ocean, Antarctica, Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences

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