A catastrophic die-off of emperor penguin chicks has been observed in the Antarctic, with up to 10,000 young birds estimated to have been killed.

The sea-ice underneath the chicks melted and broke apart before they could develop the waterproof feathers needed to swim in the ocean.

The birds most likely drowned or froze to death.

The event, in late 2022, occurred in the west of the continent in an area fronting on to the Bellingshausen Sea.

It was recorded by satellites.

Dr Peter Fretwell, from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), said the wipeout was a harbinger of things to come.

More than 90% of emperor penguin colonies are predicted to be all but extinct by the end of the century, as the continent's seasonal sea-ice withers in an ever-warming world.

"Emperors depend on sea-ice for their breeding cycle; it's the stable platform they use to bring up their young. But if that ice is not as extensive as it should be or breaks up faster, these birds are in trouble," he told BBC News.

"There is hope: we can cut our carbon emissions that are causing the warming. But if we don't we will drive these iconic, beautiful birds to the verge of extinction."

 

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Yes, it's a tragedy for the present generation, but the article is too pessimistic.

It's erroneous to say they depend on sea ice to breed. If the land comes within reach they can breed on land. They get no food on the sea ice. One partner keeps the chick warm while the other goes to feed in the ocean. After they return they regurgitate the food they ate into the chick's mouth.

Adelies breed on land and I have visited the rookery at Cape Royds. Something I was struck by was how many dead chicks there were. Only the strongest survive. Also, skuas like to eat penguin chicks, and feast well during the breeding season.

On 8/25/2023 at 12:20 PM, Social Media said:

"There is hope: we can cut our carbon emissions that are causing the warming. But if we don't we will drive these iconic, beautiful birds to the verge of extinction."

As usual from "auntie BBC" a simplistic solution which is IMO never going to happen. Even if we stopped using fossil fuel tomorrow ( which isn't going to happen ) it would likely take many decades to make even a slight difference in the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

However, keep believing the propaganda if one wishes to do so.

On 8/26/2023 at 8:27 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

It's erroneous to say they depend on sea ice to breed. If the land comes within reach they can breed on land. They get no food on the sea ice. One partner keeps the chick warm while the other goes to feed in the ocean. After they return they regurgitate the food they ate into the chick's mouth.*

Are you a penguin whisperer? Maybe you should give these Emperor Penguins advice and tell them be like the Adelies. Tell them to disregard their instincts and start breeding on land instead.