AUSTRALIA ~ Southern Elephant Seals - Heard Island - UNESCO ~

... Fantastic postcard of one of the most isolated islands on our planet... and one of the most rare pristine island ecosystems...  it is very dangerous and almost impossible to reach this island... you have to pass through some of the roughest seas on the planet to get there... for those reasons, there are currently no commercial tour operations that visit Heard Island... no-one lives permanently on the island and there is no Post Office, so unfortunately it's not possible to receive a postcard directly from Heard Island... as environmental conditions have improved around Heard Island in recent years, southern elephant seal populations have stabilized... Thanks a lot Xue!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo: Matt Curnock, Australian Antarctic Division "Juvenile male southern elephant seals sparring"
The southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is the world's largest seal. Southern elephant seals are named after the large proboscis (nose) of the adult males, which is used to make loud roaring sounds, especially during the mating season.

Heard Island is a subantarctic island located in the Southern Ocean, about 4,000 kilometres south west of mainland Australia. The island have been an Australian territory since 1947 and contain the country's only two active volcanoes,  it's highest mountain, and it's only glaciers. It is part of the Australian external territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. The islands and surrounding waters offer a unique opportunity for conducting scientific research,

Home to a range of wildlife including seals, marine birds and penguins which include several species with conservation status at a national and international level. The surrounding waters contain unique and important marine species.

Heard and McDonald Islands are since 1997 on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Prestamped postcard