Personal Finance Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Credit Cards Can you pay your taxes with a credit card? Written by Katherine Fan 2024-07-18T17:56:54Z Share icon An curved arrow pointing right. Share Facebook Icon The letter F. Facebook Email icon An envelope. It indicates the … Read more
Record low sea ice in late 2023 led to breeding failures in one-fifth of Antarctica’s emperor penguin colonies, with tens of thousands of chicks likely dying as a result. The penguins depend on sea ice attached to the shore to raise their young, and if the ice breaks up too early, the chicks may freeze or drown. Some colonies adapted by moving their breeding locations to better ice, showing that the birds can adjust to changing conditions to some extent. However, scientists predict that 99% of emperor penguins could be lost by the end of the century if sea ice continues to decline due to climate change.
Researchers are investigating if bird flu has caused the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of penguins in Antarctica. The H5N1 virus is suspected to be the cause, but field tests were inconclusive. Samples are being sent to labs for further analysis. The disease has spread rapidly in wildlife since arriving in South America in 2022 and has now reached Antarctica. Penguins, including threatened species like Adelie and emperor penguins, are at risk of being impacted by the virus.