The Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella was intensively exploited during the 19th century in its distribution area. The ceasing of its exploitation, subsequent international protection, and the availability of food, mainly krill, due to the decreasing of whale production, brought about the recovery of the Antarctic fur seal specially in South Georgia, which became the "dispersing centre" of these animals to recolonize their earlier breeding areas, the Scotia Arc and Subantarctic Islands. Since the breeding season 1981-82 until that of 1984-85, population census have been carried out including the pup tagging at Stigant Point (62º02' S, 58º45' W), King George Island, as well as at Cape Shirreff (62º27' S, 60'47' W), Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. The population growth in colonies with low density should fit an exponential model. The total population should increase and also the proportion of females, subadult males and pups. The population growth curve at Cape Shirreff fits an exponential model. The population structure is significantly different between Cape Shirreff and Stigant Poin in 1983-84 and 1984-85. The population growth in Cape Shirreff between 1983-84 and 1984-85 is 64%, the most part of which is explained by immigration. Results show a rapid population growth, a low neonatal mortality and a higher proportion of males at Cape Shirreff.
El lobo fino antártico Arctocephalus gazella, fue intensamente explotado en toda su área de distribución, llevando a sus poblaciones a niveles extremadamente bajos. El cese de la explotación produjo su recuperación., especialmente en las islas Georgia del Sur, constituyéndose en el centro de dispersión de animales, los que fueron recolonizando sus antiguos lugares de reproducción, como son las islas del Arco de Scotia y las islas subantárticas. Entre las temporadas de reproducción 1981-82 y 1984-85 se han realizado censos poblacionales y marcaje de crías en punta Stigant (62º02' S; 58º45' W), isla Rey Jorge y en cabo Shirreff (62º27' S; 60º47' W), isla Livingston, datos que se complementan con los otros autores. El crecimiento poblacional en sitios con una baja densidad debería ajustarse a un modelo exponencial. La población total debería aumentar, así como la proporción de hembras, machos subadultos y crías en relación a la proporción de machos adultos.