Emperor penguin chicks died in Antarctica as a result of fast melting of sea ice. New analysis from the British Antarctic Survey reveals the primary breeding failure of emperor penguin colonies, the place no chicks survived throughout a single season.
This occasion occurred between October and December 2022 within the Bellingshausen Sea. Satellite tv for pc pictures from the British Antarctic Survey and the European Fee confirmed that the ocean ice at 5 recognized breeding websites melted fully earlier than the chicks might develop waterproof feathers.
Emperor penguins depend on steady sea ice linked to the shore for many of the yr. Nevertheless, as of August 2023, through the Antarctic winter when sea ice must be at its largest, it was at a document low.
Scientists are alarmed by the extraordinarily low ranges of ice refreezing, which is nicely exterior the traditional vary. Local weather change, altering wind patterns, and the manufacturing and burning of fossil fuels releasing greenhouse gases into the environment, which heats the planet, are inflicting the decline of sea ice within the Arctic, scientists mentioned.
This current discovery about emperor penguins helps earlier predictions that over 90% of the colonies may very well be nearly extinct by 2100, based mostly on present local weather change tendencies and authorities insurance policies.
The Animal Reader brings you the newest information on animals. Comply with us on Google Information or subscribe right here.