The SA Agulhas II departs for Antarctica from Cape Town for 2023 expedition
![1](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/agulhas2departsCT.jpg)
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The SA Agulhas II departed for Antarctica from Cape Town for 2023 expedition
![2](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/agulhas2deliveringsupplies_antarctica.jpg)
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The SA Agulhas II departed for Antarctica from Cape Town for 2023 expedition, delivering equipment, supplies and fuel.
![3](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/sanaebase_vesleskarvet.nunatak.jpg)
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The SANAE base in Antarctica was built on a flat-topped nunatak called Vesleskarvet. A nunatak is a rock peak protruding from an ice sheet's surface.
![4](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/vesleskarvet.nunatak.jpg)
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The SANAE base in Antarctica was built on a flat-topped nunatak called Vesleskarvet. A nunatak is a rock peak protruding from an ice sheet's surface.
![5](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/sanaebase.slides_vesleskarvet.nunatak.jpg)
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The SANAE base in Antarctica was built on a flat-topped nunatak called Vesleskarvet. The base is raised on stilts allowing snow to blow under it. It has inspired other base designs in Antarctica.
![6](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/toppredatorteam_emperorpenguin.jpg)
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DFFE Top Predators Team participating in SANAE 62. The Emperor Penguin is positioned comfortably on a researcher's lap for blood and feather collection
![7](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/emperorpenguin.jpg)
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The Emperor Penguin is positioned comfortably on a researcher's lap for blood and feather collection. After handling each bird, the researchers take a picture to prove that it was alive & well after their operation has ceased.
![8](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/chinstrappenguin_icebergs.jpg)
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Chinstrap Penguin uses icebergs of all sizes as roosting stops that provide opportunities for socialising, grooming & resting. The SA Agulhas II sailed past this berg giving researchers a photo opportunity.
![9](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/southpolarskuabirds_penguincolonies.jpg)
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South Polar Skua birds attend penguin colonies for the remains of the failed breeding attempts. They were seen constantly flying over the colony at Akta Bukta
![10](https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/researchers.tuks_.unisa_rossseal.jpg)
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Researchers are deploying satellite-linked position transmitting instruments to better understand their movement in these waters.