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Chilling prospects for Antarctic penguins (Image © WWF - )
Chilling prognosis for Antarctic penguins
Melting sea ice and overfishing have triggered a dangerously rapid decline in penguin populations on the Antarctic peninsula – a direct result of global warming, warns a new report from the WWF.
Temperatures on the frozen continent are rising five times faster than the global average due to the unprecedented rate of climate change, pushing four species – including the emperor – perilously close to extinction.
Warmer temperatures are forcing penguins to raise their young on increasingly thinner and more precarious ice floes, while stronger winds mean many eggs and chicks are being blown away from their parents before they are able to survive on their own.
The gentoo, chinstrap and adélie – along with the emperor, the largest penguin species in the world – are now struggling to survive as melting sea ice destroys nesting sites and reduces vital food sources, such as krill.
“As the ice melts, these icons of the Antarctic will have to face an extremely tough battle to survive”, said Emily Lewis-Brown, of the WWF. “One of the coldest environments in the world is actually seeing some of the fastest rates of global warming, and unless action is taken to reduce global CO2 emissions, the future of many Antarctic species looks bleak.”
The report, entitled Antarctic Penguins and Climate Change, warns sea ice in the West Antarctic peninsula has receded by 40% during the past 26 years, causing certain colonies to decline by as much as 66%. To find out more, click on the thumbnails in the gallery below.
by Laura Snook, MSN Environment Editor

In pictures: chilling prognosis for Antarctic penguins

Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)
Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)Penguins on thin ice (click to enlarge)

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