The wandering albatross, or snowy albatross (Diomedea exulans) is a species of seabird residing in the Southern Ocean. Characterized by their long wingspan (up to 12 feet – the longest in the world), pink beak, and white plumage, wandering albatross spend most of their lives flying, only landing in order to breed and raise young. These birds lead very interesting life cycles, spending anywhere from 5-10 years at sea before returning to their natal islands to mate for life. Wandering albatross have a long generation time, only breeding once every 2 years, and taking around 11-15 years to reach sexual maturity. They are carnivorous birds, hunting a variety of marine life like fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods with shallow dives. Wandering albatross are also scavengers, taking advantage of leftovers from larger predators, and further contributing to the nutrient cycle.

Diomedea exulans is listed as a “vulnerable” species on the IUCN red list, meaning that wandering albatross are at high risk of extinction in the wild. The population is currently decreasing, with an estimated number of only 20,100 mature individuals left in the wild. This is due to a variety of reasons, with the most notable being anthropogenic impacts. Given the pelagic nature of these birds and their hunting strategy, wandering albatross are particularly susceptible to bycatch in longline fisheries, where they often drown after being hooked. This is the leading cause of adult mortality for this species in Southern Ocean fisheries. On top of this, pollution and climate change put extra stress on the population, leaving little room for recovery. Wandering albatross often mistake ocean plastic for food, leading to complications if ingested, like starvation or internal bleeding. Climate change has also shifted wind patterns and ocean temperatures, affecting foraging efficiency, breeding success, and habitat stability. These issues are especially detrimental to wandering albatross populations, given their long generation time and high age of sexual maturity.

Despite the challenges posed against the wandering albatross, there is still hope for recovery. Bird scaring lines can be great deterrents that reduce longline fishing bycatch, as well as weighted hooks and night fishing to reduce the likelihood that this species comes into contact with any kind of fishing gear. Although not much can be done about ocean plastic or climate change, other measures can be put in place to aid the conservation of this species as they struggle to adapt in our changing world. Genetic studies of this species have already revealed shifts in diet and foraging zones, providing evidence that they can adapt to newer, more unfavorable conditions. We should be ready facilitate this shift by protecting breeding sites and setting up no-fishing zones or bycatch limitation mandates, especially where this species resides in the Southern Ocean. The wandering albatross is a resilient species that has shown its capability to adapt, therefore we must do our best to show support for the sake of conservation.