Scientists Discover a
Mega-Colony of Adelie Penguins in Antarctica
“Huge
‘mega-colonies’ of Adélie penguins have been discovered near the Antarctic
peninsula, offering more hope for the region’s penguin population.
Previous
scientific surveys showed a significant decline in Adélie penguins, the most
common species found on the Antarctic Peninsula…
WWF
notes that, while Adélie penguin populations have increased in some areas,
their numbers have declined by 65% in other regions. The quest to understand
these losses led scientists to examine satellite data of the remote region. And
in 2014, researchers found evidence of penguins in an unexpected area: the
Danger Islands in the Weddell Sea.
…researchers
from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Oxford University & several
institutions mounted an expedition to reach the remote Danger Islands. As
detailed in the journal ‘Scientific Reports,’ the scientists discovered several
colonies of penguins – 1.5 million birds, to be exact.
Co-researcher
Tom Hart of the University of Oxford explained:
This
was an incredible experience, finding & counting so many penguins. The size
of these colonies makes them regionally important & makes the case for
expanding the proposed Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA) to include the
Danger Islands. More than that, I think it highlights the need for better
protection of the west Antarctic Peninsula, where we are seeing declines.
The
researchers then revisited satellite data dating back to the 1950s. They found
that the colonies appear to have been stable for several decades, suggesting
that this is a longstanding breeding ground for the birds.
By
using drones to take images of individual nesting sites & then stitching
them together to form a patchwork map, the researchers were able to tally up
total numbers & determine where the penguins congregate. This data provides
a benchmark for tracking future population changes & birth distribution…
MARINE
PROTECTED AREAS ARE VITAL FOR CONSERVATION
In
2016, an area off Antarctica was designated as a marine protected area. This
598,000 square-mile region in the Ross Sea was given the green-light by the
international Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources. This area holds immense value for scientific research &
biodiversity.
This
recent study makes the case for extending that protected area to include the
Danger Islands, ensuring a future for the Adélie penguins.”
Steve Williams
March
6/2018
care2.com
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