A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 10 August 2020

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" prof. Nico de Bruyn, explained the impact and importance of the University's research work done on the Marion Island Marine Mammal Programme.

Prof de Bruyn is a professor of Zoology at the University of Pretoria and the project’s principle investigator. In the 10 August article, he highlighted the impacted the COVID-19 pandemic had on research done on the volcanic outcrop in the southern Indian Ocean. According to de Bruyn no field work could be done because the SA research vessel the SA Agulhas II could not depart on its annual journey. Prof de Bruyn explained that “for the past 39 years, scientists have ventured across the island to monitor the wildlife. The uninterrupted, long-term dataset is unique the world over, says de Bruyn. As top predators, the seals give researchers insight into what’s happening in the ocean and the atmosphere. In effect, these marine mammals provide exceptional insight into the rate and impacts of climate change.”

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