Poseidon Aims to Preserve Wildlife in South Georgia
The union of forces between the South Georgia Heritage Trust and Poseidon Expeditions promotes vital conservation on the island of South Georgia.
Since its founding in 1999, Poseidon Expeditions has brought thousands of intrepid travelers to the remotest corners of the earth by organizing exclusive exploratory cruises in the polar regions of the world: the Arctic and Antarctica. The company supports the concept of a small ship: the Sea Spirit is highly maneuverable and capable of navigating narrow fjords and entering small bays in South Georgia, allowing around 100 guests to spend maximum time ashore in Antarctica. Each expedition is a unique experience guided by a staff of experts in marine biology, glaciology, and polar history.
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This new partnership between the Scottish charity and the expedition cruise company will enable guests to embark on an unforgettable journey to Antarctica while contributing to the funding of wildlife and cultural conservation on the island. £100 will be donated to the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) every time a new passenger books a cruise to South Georgia, thus financing conservation work on the island. Here, humpback whales, southern elephant seals, seabirds, and vast colonies of king penguins can be found, often featured in historic series like BBC’s Frozen Planet, Blue Planet, and Planet Earth.
The company’s CEO, Angelica Vorea, emphasized that Poseidon Expeditions has been committed to safe and environmentally respectful exploration of the polar regions since 1999. She stated that it is a privilege for the company to bring visitors from around the world to admire the wonders of South Georgia and the broader Antarctic region, knowing how much guests appreciate the opportunity to immerse themselves in such places. She added that she is pleased to collaborate with SGHT and contribute to their important mission.
The South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) has carried out the world’s largest rodent eradication project and successfully removed invasive rats and mice (accidentally introduced by whalers 200 years ago) that preyed on the eggs and chicks of millions of native birds and had nearly brought a species, the South Georgia pipit, to extinction. The trust continues to work to preserve the island’s wildlife, landscape, and cultural heritage by supporting ongoing efforts by the South Georgia Government and the South Sandwich Islands to ensure that the 10-15,000 visitors per year do not again compromise this recovering ecosystem.
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Luke Smith, development director at the South Georgia Heritage Trust, noted that the organization has achieved unprecedented success in eliminating invasive rodents that were decimating native bird populations. He added that as a small charity, it needs maximum support to continue and grow, and the donations from Poseidon Expeditions will help protect and further preserve the island’s environment and wildlife for future generations. This support will also contribute to scientific research and help manage the South Georgia Museum and undertake important cultural projects on or related to the island, such as rescuing Shackleton’s heritage in Stromness and an important art installation that will serve as a whale memorial in Grytviken.
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