Global Warming Slashes King Penguin Numbers

Due to the increased temperatures experienced across the globe due to the global warming occurring on the planet, large quantities of animals are struggling to survive, especially those at the North and South Poles as their food sources are moving due to the change in habitat at the poles, (melting of ice and raising of sea levels). One of the many species affected is the King Penguin. Over the next 80 years, 70% of the population of King Penguins could go.

As the environment changes quickly, the penguins can’t adapt quick enough and could find it difficult to survive. Also as the temperature gets warmer, food will move away from where the penguins get their food sources. Currently there are around 1.6 million King Penguins left in the world and many scientists are sure that they must leave their current home or die. The climate change is forcing penguins to eat more fish and that may lead to less available food in years to come. Scientists are saying that unless the greenhouse gases don’t drop, then King Penguins could be extinct within a decade.

King Penguins are the second largest type of penguin and most are found in the South Atlantic.Usually King Penguins breed on the northern reaches of Antarctica and can start breeding at the age of three. The hatching of their eggs takes about two to three days. An average King Penguin stands at around 70 to 100cm and weighs from 9.3 to 18kg.

The King Penguin is one of the most remarkable animals on this planet, but despite this, we continue to slash their numbers and push them closer to the brink of extinction. How much longer can we continue along this path until suitable adjustments to our lifestyles are made?