Southern Elephant Seals are the largest of all pinnipeds with adult males weighing up to four tons. Here a group of young males were having dominance issues. They come to shore at this time of year to molt. After being hunted to near extinction in the 19th century, they have recovered, particularly here on South Georgia which accounts for half the annual world pup production. However other former major sites have experienced decreases over the past three generations. Causes of these declines remain elusive (Mammal Rev. 35:82–100, 2005). Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Hofmeyr, G.J.G. 2015. Mirounga leonina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T13583A45227247. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T13583A45227247.en. Downloaded on 06 March 2017.
McMahon CR, Bester MN, Burton HR, Hindell MA, Bradshaw JA. 2005. Population status, trends and a re-examination of the hypotheses explaining the recent declines of the southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina. Mammal Rev. 35:82–100.
Shirihai, H. (2002) A Complete Guide to Antarctic Wildlife. The Birds and Marine Mammals of the Antarctic Continent and the Southern Ocean. Princeton University Press: Princeton & Oxford.