Emperor penguins are on the pathway to EXTINCTION: 99% of birds could be wiped ... trends now
View
comments
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
