
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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