World's largest penguin colony hit by 'alarming' decline in numbers
Summary
The number of chinstrap penguins on Zavodovski Island near Antarctica has dropped by 63% between 2011 and 2025. Researchers say this decline is linked to climate change affecting the penguins’ food supply and survival, while another penguin species, macaroni penguins, is increasing on the island.Key Facts
- Zavodovski Island housed the world's largest penguin colony, with about 600,000 chinstrap penguins in 2011.
- By 2025, the number of chinstrap penguin nests decreased by 63%.
- The decline is mainly due to rising ocean temperatures causing the krill (small shrimp-like animals the penguins eat) to move south.
- Chinstrap penguins prefer cooler waters and have a specialized diet focused on krill.
- Macaroni penguins on the same island have increased in number, likely because they eat a wider variety of food.
- The island is remote and volcanic, with an active volcano named Mount Curry nearby.
- Other factors like volcanic fumes and competition from whales were considered but are less likely causes than climate change.
- The South Sandwich Islands, including Zavodovski, are a UK overseas territory near Antarctica.
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