National Geographic Travelさんのインスタグラム写真 - (National Geographic TravelInstagram)「Photo by @PaulNicklen | An elephant seal defends his harem of females against a new challenger on the island of South Georgia. The winner of this battle will watch over up to 300 females. The alpha male, known as a beachmaster, was massive, but after a relentless cycle of breeding while also defending his right to breed, he was soon haggard and worn out. It was amazing to see how he lost hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds. A big male like this can weigh up to 9,000 pounds when he first arrives battle-ready on the beach in October. Fights are brutal and often bloody. Rival males use their bodies like battering rams against each other—an incredible testament to the drama of extreme environments like Antarctica. Follow me @PaulNicklen for more stories about my most intense experiences in the wild and to keep up to date on future polar expeditions. #TurningTheTide #Antarctica #Nature #BornToIce」11月26日 6時05分