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World’s Largest Penguin Colony Shrinks 63% In 14 Years

Researchers linked the decline to warming conditions that have pushed Antarctic krill farther south into the Weddell Sea.

,   and  TIPP Staff
2 min read
Climate change strips island’s title of largest penguin colony. Pic via(@straits_times)

The chinstrap penguin population on Zavodovski Island has fallen by 63% since 2011, according to a British Antarctic Survey study released Wednesday.

The decline has caused the remote volcanic island to lose its status as the world’s largest penguin colony to Cape Adare.

Researchers linked the decline to warming conditions that have pushed Antarctic krill farther south into the Weddell Sea. Chinstrap penguins depend heavily on krill but cannot easily reach the colder waters where the food source is moving.

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Macaroni penguins on the island, which have a more varied diet, increased by 28% and remained stable. Researchers also ruled out the 2016 Mount Curry eruption as the main cause because the penguin decline began earlier.

Scientists said penguin populations are also falling across the South Sandwich Islands, raising concerns that chinstrap penguins could eventually qualify for “endangered” status on the IUCN Red List.

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tippinsightsTIPP Staff

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