A massive loss of emperor penguin chicks was documented in the Antarctic, with nearly 10,000 young birds believed to have lost their lives amid Climate crisis.
The premature melting and breaking apart of the sea-ice led to the chicks’ demise, as they hadn’t yet grown the waterproof feathers required to swim. Consequently, the majority either drowned or succumbed to the cold.
This event unfolded in late 2022 on the western side of Antarctica, specifically in a region adjacent to the Bellingshausen Sea. Satellite technology played a key role in documenting this tragedy.
Dr. Peter Fretwell from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) expressed grave concerns about the future. He forecasted that almost all emperor penguin colonies might disappear by 2100 due to the diminishing seasonal sea-ice in an increasingly warming climate.
The breeding cycle of emperor penguins heavily relies on sea-ice. It serves as a steady foundation for rearing their offspring. However, the decline in sea-ice quantity and quality jeopardizes their survival, explained Dr. Fretwell to BBC News.
Dr. Fretwell emphasized the urgency of curbing carbon emissions to mitigate further warming, highlighting the potential risk of pushing this iconic species to the brink of extinction.
Scientists focused on five colonies in the Bellingshausen Sea region, namely Rothschild Island, Verdi Inlet, Smyley Island, Bryan Peninsula, and Pfrogner Point. With the aid of the EU’s Sentinel-2 satellites, researchers were able to detect penguin activities by spotting the guano (excrement) they left on the pristine white sea-ice. Remarkably, these stains are discernible even from outer space.
Adult emperor penguins begin their breeding activities around March, coinciding with the onset of the Southern Hemisphere’s winter season. Their lifecycle encompasses courtship, mating, egg-laying, brooding, and eventually feeding their chicks until they are equipped to be independent.
