The wandering albatross is named for its flying ability - in non-breeding years they sometimes fly around the entire world! The wanderer is the stellar flying bird of the Southern Ocean and much of the marine folklore and poetry about albatrosses that developed in the era of sailing ships can be attributed to the wandering albatross.

The life history of the wandering albatross is similar to our own: birds mature at about 12 years of age, spend many adolescent years socialising and courting, mate for life, breed infrequently and might live for more than 60 years. They lay a single egg. A life history like this is not compatible with unnaturally high mortality and even a small increase in mortality can send populations heading toward the abyss.

The main threat to wandering albatrosses is surface longlining for tuna. The long branch lines float, providing ample time for slow moving birds like wanderers to snatch baited hooks. Bottom longlining is less of a threat because lines sink faster, and wanderers are usually out-competed by smaller, more manoeuvrable species.

What can you do to help?

Donate to Save the Albatross Campaign