A new study warns that the emperor penguin population in Antarctica is shrinking faster than expected, with numbers falling by 22% over 15 years due to climate change and unstable sea ice.
Emperor penguins, the largest penguin species and a vital part of Antarctica's ecosystem, are experiencing a population collapse “worse than the worst-case projections,” according to new research published Tuesday by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
The study, based on satellite imagery analysis, found that emperor penguin numbers in a key sector of Antarctica have declined by 22% between 2009 and 2023, dropping at an average rate of 1.6% annually.
“This is worse than the worst-case projections we have for emperors this century,” said Peter Fretwell, a wildlife-from-space expert at BAS, expressing deep concern about the findings.
Emperor penguins are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their heavy dependence on stable seasonal sea ice for breeding. “Unfortunately, the recent trend has seen sea ice in many parts of the continent become patchy and unreliable, likely harming breeding success,” the study noted.
Beyond sea ice loss, the penguins also face mounting challenges from changing weather patterns, food competition due to shifting wildlife ranges, and increased predation and disturbance by species like petrels.
“The fact that we're moving to a position faster than the computer models project means there must be other factors we need to understand,” said co-author Phil Trathan, emeritus fellow at BAS.
Trathan emphasized that curbing greenhouse gas emissions is critical to reversing the decline. “If we don't, we'll probably have relatively few emperor penguins left by the turn of this century,” he warned.
Currently, the World Wildlife Fund estimates the global emperor penguin population at around 270,000 breeding pairs, making them the least common Antarctic penguin species.
Scientists are now working to determine whether similar declines are occurring across other regions of Antarctica.
China is set to eliminate tariffs for all 53 African countries it has diplomatic ties with, offering duty-free access not just to the poorest nations but also to middle-income economies.
The European Union and Britain reached a landmark agreement Wednesday to ease border crossings in Gibraltar, ending years of uncertainty over the territory’s post-Brexit status.
Thousands gathered for a sixth straight night of protests in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration raids as federal forces remain deployed in the city.
Romania deployed fighter jets early Thursday after Russian drone strikes targeted Ukraine’s Vylkove region near the Romanian border, though no airspace violations were detected.
China is set to eliminate tariffs for all 53 African countries it has diplomatic ties with, offering duty-free access not just to the poorest nations but also to middle-income economies.
The European Union and Britain reached a landmark agreement Wednesday to ease border crossings in Gibraltar, ending years of uncertainty over the territory’s post-Brexit status.
Forced displacement worldwide has hit a record 122.1 million, driven by conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, as humanitarian needs soar.
Thousands gathered for a sixth straight night of protests in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration raids as federal forces remain deployed in the city.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Kazakhstan and the UK are strengthening defense ties with a new Military Cooperation Plan, focusing on peacekeeping and military education.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, has announced a record £2.5 billion in additional funding this week to advance the development of the world’s first fusion power plant.
A historic May heat wave pushed Greenland’s ice melt to 17 times its average rate and sent Iceland’s temperatures soaring to record-breaking highs, raising urgent alarms about Arctic climate vulnerability.
Climate change could slash over 5% from Italy’s GDP by 2050 if no action is taken, according to the national budget watchdog, highlighting the urgent need for global emissions cuts.
At least seven people have died and several schoolchildren are missing after heavy rain and snow triggered flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape and southern regions, officials said Tuesday.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres opened the Third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, calling on the world to stop plundering the oceans.
China is set to eliminate tariffs for all 53 African countries it has diplomatic ties with, offering duty-free access not just to the poorest nations but also to middle-income economies.
The European Union and Britain reached a landmark agreement Wednesday to ease border crossings in Gibraltar, ending years of uncertainty over the territory’s post-Brexit status.
Forced displacement worldwide has hit a record 122.1 million, driven by conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, as humanitarian needs soar.
Thousands gathered for a sixth straight night of protests in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration raids as federal forces remain deployed in the city.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment