ENDANGERMENT OF EMPEROR PENGUINS
Dwelling in the Antarctic coastal exists waddles and colonies of them. The icon of the arctic and easily the most recognizable birds. They are considered the largest in size within their species, extraordinary divers, and social animals, the Emperor Penguin—also known as Aptenodytes forsteri (scientific name)—survives and breeds in the harshest weather conditions of Antarctica. They live up to 20 years, the chick stage lasting for about 5 months.
Unfortunately, as of April 2026, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categorized the emperor penguins from “Near threatened” to now “Endangered”. The lethal threat behind emperor penguins is climate change and certain human activities. The warming climate has been threatening these species for the last 50 years, now having finally pushed this dwindling species into endangerment. Emperor penguins require “fast ice”sea ice that is fastened to the ocean floor or coastline serving as habitat for the chicks and the penguins during moulting season. Melting away of these colonies will cause many casualties, not only affecting the emperor penguins, but also the life cycle of the arctic—affecting the prey and predators of this species. Studies show that if we continue with current emissions, their population could crash by about 50% over the next 50 years (by 2080) and will be “quasi-extinct”.
In the 48th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) held in Hiroshima, Japan, discussions have been made regarding the recent endangerment of the arctic bird and drew conclusions by giving the emperor penguins “Specially Protected Species” status, aiming to protect them from habitat loss. On the flip side, there are environmentalists criticizing the ATCM for not following up with previous proposals (from 2022 onwards) regarding the protection of these species before their endangerment, leading to life-threatening consequences put upon the now endangered bird.
Many wildlife organisations like WWF and BirdLife International have come forward with the willingness and determination to protect, preserve, and advocate for the beloved emperor penguins, giving these species a glimmer of hope to see a better tomorrow
- Angelene Abraham -12 B