JASON ISLANDS (Islas Sebaldes)
North-west of West Falklands, the archipelago of the Jason Islands stretch out in a chain for nearly 35 miles towards South America. They are rocky and steep with few anchorages or harbours and dangerous rip tides. Hundreds of sailing vessels came to grief on their rocky shores with only a few names recorded. Even after sealing became illegal in 1900 it's remoteness allowed sealing to continue by poachers. There are at least 10 islands of notable size but the largest island is Grand Jason, with steep cliffs and high plateaux and gullies. West and south there are tussac covered slopes but sheep grazing has left eroded areas in the north, south-eastern and western ends.
Elephant Jason was stocked with sheep until 1971. Len Hill bought the islands in 1970 and started the first conservation there. In the 1990's Steeple and Grand were bought by New York philanthropist Michael Steinhardt who gave them to Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservbation Society along with funds to build a conservation station named after himself and his wife.
The Jasons are beautiful and remote, but difficult to visit as no aircraft can land there. It is not possible to visit without first seeking permission.
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Steeple Jason is almost two islands but is joined by a narrow neck. Long, 10km (6 miles) and narrow it rises dramatically to around 305m (1000ft). This island hosts the largest colony of black-browed albatross in the world.The Jasons have a great variety of wildlife, and Birdlife International has identified it as and Important Bird Area. Among other birds there are large numbers of striated caracaras and giant petrels, fur seals, steamer ducks, rockhopper and gentoo penguins and Cobb's wrens. |
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Can you add/ correct any information or supply photographs or information , past or present/ life/ people/ buildings? Contact: falklands.southatlantic@gmail.com
Sources include: Falkland Rural Heritage- Joan Spruce with Natalie Smith, nationalarchives.gov.fk/Jane Cameron National Archives/ Land/ buildings, Falkland Rural Heritage- Joan Spruce with Natalie Smith,
Photographic credits: Marlane and Ali Marsh, Terry Spruce |
    
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