The expert view

Leopard seals, along with sea birds, whales and other seals, depend on krill, yet krill stocks are down by 80 per cent. The loss of krill is thought to be due to the reduction of sea-ice off the Western Antarctic Peninsula – which has been caused by climate warming. Krill live in the seaice as a nursery, as well as protection over the harsh Antarctic winter.

Tracey Rogers is a Professor at the Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, UNSW, Australia.