They’re some of the most majestic creatures on Earth.
But Emperor penguins are on the pathway to extinction, a new study has warned.
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have warned that 99 per cent of birds could be wiped out by 2100, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise at the current levels.
‘As the continent warms we are seeing the ice break out earlier, leading to higher chick mortality,’ said Dr Peter Fretwell, a Geographic Information Officer at BAS.
‘With fewer chicks surviving at many colonies, it is likely that over time a number of current breeding sites will become untenable, and the overall population will decline.’
They’re some of the most majestic creatures on Earth. But Emperor penguins are on the pathway to extinction, a new study has warned
Researchers from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have warned that 99 per cent of birds could be wiped out by 2100, if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise at the current levels
Emperor penguins breed and raise their chicks on land-fast sea ice – stable sea ice that is firmly attached to the shore.
If this ice breaks up too early, the chicks go into the sea before they have grown their waterproof feathers — known as fledging.
This can lead to high, or in some cases, total, chick mortality.
In their study, the researchers analysed the number of Emperor penguins across the remaining 66 colonies in Antarctica.
Their analysis revealed that record low levels of Antarctic sea-ice in late 2023 resulted in breeding failures in 14 of the colonies.
Worryingly, current predictions suggest that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise at current levels, the population of Emperor penguins will fall by 99 per cent by the end of the century.
In their study, the researchers analysed the number of Emperor penguins across the remaining 66 colonies in Antarctica
While 2023’s figures are concerning, they’re actually slightly better than those in 2022. That year, 19 colonies – almost 30 per cent – were impacted by low levels of sea-ice
While 2023’s figures are concerning, they’re actually slightly better than those in 2022.
That year, 19 colonies – almost 30 per cent – were impacted by low levels of sea-ice.
Several colonies that were badly affected in 2022 also showed adaptations, with some moving to find more stable ice and some breeding on icebergs or ice shelves.
Dr Fretwell explained: ‘The fact that we are seeing these adaptations in the worst affected colonies gives us some hope that the birds can react to their changing environment and move to find more stable ice.
‘It also seems that overall sea-ice concentration levels do not always translate to early fast ice break-up at the colonies, with more subtle regional factors, such as the persistence of El Niño and La Niña cycles also play an important part.’
Over the last seven years, spring and summer sea-ice extent in all seasons around Antarctica have plummeted.
The years 2022 and 2023 had record low summer sea-ice extents and represent the first in the satellite record (1979–2023) during which the area of Antarctic sea ice dropped below 2million sq km.
The news comes shortly after footage revealed the nail-biting moment hundreds of baby penguins jumped off a 50ft ice cliff in Antarctica.
A National Geographic film crew was visiting Atka Bay on the Ekstrom Ice Shelf, when they spotted approximately 700 emperor penguin chicks gathering at the edge of a cliff.
To their amazement, the chicks began to leap from the summit, before smashing into the icy ocean waters below.
Thankfully, the chicks emerged from the stunt unscathed.
‘This spectacular, heart-stopping moment has been witnessed by scientists before, but this is the first time the rare behavior has been filmed for television,’ National Geographic explained.
EMPEROR PENGUIN IS THE LARGEST SPECIES OF THE FLIGHTLESS BIRD
The Emperor penguin is the largest species of penguin, reaching heights of around four feet (1.2 meters) tall, and weighing between 49 pounds (22 kilograms) and 99 pounds (44 kilograms).
They are recognisable due to their distinctive black back and head, white breast and yellow patches on their necks.
The flightless birds inhabit the Antarctic, huddling together to keep warm in the icy climate, where temperatures reach as low as -90C.
Emperor penguins breed and raise their young almost exclusively on sea ice, with the females laying eggs before heading off to hunt for food, leaving the males to incubate the egg.
If there’s too little sea ice, it reduces the availability of breeding sites and prey for emperor penguins, but too much ice means longer hunting trips for adults, which means they can’t feed their chicks as frequently
After the chick is born, parents take turns foraging at sea and caring for the newborn within the colony.
The birds’ diet consists primarily of fish, but they will also eat crustaceans, such as krill, and cephalopods, such as squid. To facilitate hunting the penguins can remain underwater for up to 18 minutes, diving to a depth of 1,755 ft.
The relationship between Emperor penguins and sea ice is fragile.
If there’s too little sea ice, it reduces the availability of breeding sites and prey, but too much ice means longer hunting trips for adults, which means they can’t feed their chicks as frequently.
