The mystery of penguin death

2001/12/12 Elhuyar Zientzia

• Zoologia

The breeding season for Adelie penguins in Antarctica begins in the spring of the southern hemisphere. However, this year many of these penguins do not have spring. In fact, scientists at the Australian base in Antarctica have been studying Adelie penguins for 12 years, especially to see how the decrease in the krill they eat affects penguin fertility. When a biologist from the team of researchers visited the colonies of the two islands and found at least one hundred dead, they were surprised.

In total there are about 15,000 penguins and although in other years several penguins also appear dead, they have never been so much. Now, researchers want to clarify the origin of these deaths. The last similar event took place in 1972, when the dead were chicks. Although studies have since been conducted on diseases affecting penguins, it seems that they have not been enough. Biologists wait for the supply ship that will arrive on December 27 to be able to send to analyze samples of dead. Meanwhile, measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease, such as limiting visits to colonies, carefully cleaning clothing and footwear used before and after.