The British Institute of Antarctic Research (BAS) discovered four new colonies of imperial penguins at the South Pole. Data on the populations of penguins and colonies movements were obtained during satellite observations.
Scientists believe that the penguins have moved their colonies, since the melting of ice due to climate change threatens the places of reproduction.
BAS noted that already well -known colonies have shifted more than 30 kilometers, and during observations from satellites four new, previously discovered colonies of imperial penguins were found.
One of the recently discovered colonies was formed as a result of the restoration of a previously extinct colony in the Galley Bay and lives on Mount MacDonald.
It is reported that the new place of the colony is 30 km east of the old, and the cubs came here, appearing in the Brunt area.
with the discovery of the new, the number of colonies of imperial penguins in the South Pole reached 66.
BAS noted that contrary to the discovery of new colonies, the population of the imperial colonies are still under threat of disappearance. In three new colonies, the population is less than 1000 penguins.
In the period from 2016 to 2023, scientists recorded the four lowest levels of glaciers over the past 45 years. Consequently, imperial penguins, preferring harder glacial soils, changed their habitats and reproduction.
However, due to the process of disappearance of glaciers, covering the entire continent, the distances of migration have also become longer.
Although imperial penguins live in coastal glaciers, for reproduction they often choose hard -to -reach places. For this reason, the colonies in the areas of reproduction are observed from the satellite.
Imperial penguins, which are considered “under the threat of disappearance,” are the largest penguins in the world. Its average growth is about 120 cm, and the weight ranges between 22 and 45 kg. They grow their chicks of the Antarctic winter in the areas of frozen sea ice. But if the ice melts before the chicks are leaning, the majority will die.