Antarctic researchers are plunging to new and frigid depths to learn more about penguins – but are doing it without getting wet.
Scientists from the French and Japanese national Antarctic programmes mounted cameras on the backs of several Adélie penguins to find out more about their hunting habits.
The video released today shows how the flightless birds move through the water, travel in groups, and also displays a rarely seen underwater view of Antarctica’s sea ice.
The cameras, which weigh between 15-22 grams, or equal to approximately nine pennies, were recovered after the birds returned to their nests in Terre Adélie – ‘the land of the Adélies’.
Rod Downie, polar programme manager for WWF-UK, says the video, which was captured as part of a wider study, provides invaluable insight about penguins’ foraging habits.
“Ultimately, this will help to safeguard the future of these amazing birds, which are threatened by predicted climate change.”
As one of the world’s last great wildernesses, WWF and other groups are working to create Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around Antarctica in an effort to protect the feeding grounds of penguins, seals, whales, and other marine life.
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