The French Southern and Antarctic Lands is a territory spread across multiple islands and island groups in the southern Indian Ocean. Patrick Hertzog, a photographer with AFP, recently visited several of its subantarctic districts aboard the research-and-supply vessel Marion Dufresne. These islands are home to many penguins, seals, and seabirds, and a temporary home to groups of scientists and researchers who work in several small stations that are supplied by the Marion Dufresne.
A Visit to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
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![A person in yellow rain gear walks among thousands of penguins on a beach.]()
Read moreA scientist walks among thousands of King penguins on Île de la Possession, part of the Crozet Islands, on December 20, 2022. The Crozet Islands are home to multiple species of penguins, fur seals, and southern elephant seals. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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Read moreAn aerial view of Île Saint-Paul in the southern Indian Ocean, part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, seen on December 28, 2022. A scientific-research cabin on the island is used for scientific or ecological short campaigns, but there is no permanent population. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![An elephant seal rears up, surrounded by penguins.]()
Read moreAn elephant seal is surrounded by king penguins on Île de la Possession on December 20, 2022. #
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![An aerial photograph of a cluster of about 20 buildings sitting on a treeless oceanside bluff.]()
Read moreAn aerial photograph of the cluster of buildings that is the Alfred Faure research station on Île de la Possession, taken on December 21, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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![A seal on the shore, facing many penguins]()
Read moreAn elephant seal swims ashore on December 21, 2022, on Île de la Possession. #
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![A king penguin's face]()
Read moreA close view of a king penguin on December 20, 2022, on Île de la Possession #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![An elephant seal lies on its side, looking toward the camera.]()
Read moreAn elephant seal is pictured on December 20, 2022, on Île de la Possession. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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![A low sun is seen over the ocean from the deck of a ship.]()
Read moreThis photograph, taken on December 15, 2022, shows the Marion Dufresne multipurpose vessel sailing near Crozet Island, in the Indian Ocean. #
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![A seal rests near a cluster of buildings on a remote island.]()
Read moreAn elephant seal rests near the Port-aux-Français station, early on December 25, 2022, on the Kerguelen Islands. This archipelago, also known as the Desolation Islands, is one of the most isolated places on Earth. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![A penguin stands on a small paved road.]()
Read moreA penguin walks on a road in Port-aux-Français station on the Kerguelen Islands, on December 25, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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![Elephant seals lying and playing on a road near the ocean.]()
Read moreElephant seals rest on a road at Port-aux-Français station, early on December 25, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![About a dozen penguins gather in two groups along a shoreline.]()
Read morePenguins are pictured on December 24, 2022, on the Kerguelen Islands. #
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![Two elephant seals fight on a beach.]()
Read moreElephant seals fight near the Port-aux-Français station on December 25, 2022. #
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![An aerial view of a ship floating near a shoreline.]()
Read moreThis aerial view, taken on December 24, 2022, shows the Marion Dufresne, alongside the Port-aux-Français station. #
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![An aerial view of a small cluster of buildings on a tiny, desolate island.]()
Read moreThis aerial view shows the research station at Martin-de-Viviès on Île Amsterdam, part of the five administrative districts of the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, on December 31, 2022. Martin-de-Viviès is the seasonal home to about 30 researchers. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![A fur seal basks on lichen-covered rocks.]()
Read moreA fur seal basks on Île Amsterdam on December 29, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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![A person stands on shore, watching a helicopter carry a container from a nearby ship.]()
Read moreJean-Philippe Branne, chief of the Amsterdam district, watches a freight transfer from the Marion Dufresne multipurpose vessel by a helicopter, on Île Amsterdam, on December 29, 2022. #
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![Several people stand along a shoreline, beside a tractor, using sticks and noises to shoo a group of fur seals out of the area.]()
Read moreWorkers shoo fur seals from a working area on Île Amsterdam on December 29, 2022. #
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![About a dozen people shift baskets of food and supplies in a bucket brigade.]()
Read moreWorkers and seasonal residents handle the freight transported from the Marion Dufresne at Martin-de-Viviès research center after arriving on Île Amsterdam, on December 29, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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![A seal rests on rocks, with its mouth open.]()
Read moreA seal rests on rocks on Île Amsterdam on December 29, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![A close view of the hull of a ship at anchor.]()
Read moreThe Marion Dufresne multipurpose vessel sits anchored near Île Saint-Paul on December 28, 2022. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
![A view of a rugged mountain shoreline.]()
Read moreThis photograph taken on December 21, 2022, from the Marion Dufresne, shows the landscape of Île de l'Est, part of the Crozet Islands. #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty -
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![Three fur seals look toward the camera while swimming.]()
Read moreFur seals swim inside the crater of Île Saint-Paul on December 28, 2022 #
Patrick Hertzog / AFP / Getty
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