QUESTION:
Have you ever been attacked by any wildlife in Antarctica? 
                   
                David P.
                Dolan Middle School - Barbara Ryan's class
                Stamford, CT 


ANSWER from Donna Patterson, Research Assistant to Dr. Fraser
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Wed, 12 Feb 1997 00:21:14 -0500
            
Hello David, 

I wouldn't quite say that I've been attacked, more like chased by fur 
seals and bitten many times by skuas, giant petrels and penguins.  
The fur seals are extremely mobile and can cross the ground faster 
than I can run!  We usually do not walk too close, and only an 
occasional seal tries to chase us, but we are still very cautious 
when working around furs.   The skuas (both Brown and South Polar) are 
very defensive of their territories.  When we are working with their 
chicks, the parents often try to fly by and hit our heads.  Some 
parents are very bold- they land on the ground nearby, walk up behind 
someone and try to bite their legs or arms.  I have even had a Brown 
skua land on my head and yank my hair.    When checking nests of 
giant petrels or reading the leg bands, some parents will nip your 
hands or arms.  They have very powerful beaks that are used for 
eating whales and seals, so they could do far more damage to us than 
we've seen!

Thanks for your question!
Donna Patterson