Researchers for Japan and France have fitted camera to Adelie penguins to show how they hunt, hunt, and live. A fascinating video has been produced by the tiny 15gm camera that records hungry penguins chasing their prey under Antarctic ice. (Video coming soon). Australian scientists also fitted small cameras to Little Penguins (Eudyptula Minor) and were able to view a video of their hunts. Because they have a better chance of finding their prey, little penguins hunt in groups. Grace Sutton from Deakin University, Geelong (Australia) completed Grace’s research project about the penguins. She said that they found that hunting together gave them a greater chance to find their prey. Finding prey is just half of the battle. “The penguins were less likely to capture and then eat a meal if they were together.” The Adelie penguin transforms from being clumsy walkers to master swimmers once they reach the ocean. Image: WWF.org.uk. Adelie and Little Penguins are found in various locations. The Adelie penguin can be seen along the Antarctic coast. This is where they live. This little penguin is the smallest penguin of all. It can be found along the coasts of New Zealand and southern Australia. There are possible records for Chile. The images of the Adelie penguin, Pygoscelis adeliae (or Pygoscelis adeliae), were taken in ‘The Land of Adelies (Terre Adelie). Researchers recovered the cameras once the penguins had returned to their nests. Rod Downie is the Polar program manager at WWF UK. He explained that 2014’s John Lewis Christmas advertisement, which featured Monty and Mabel, the Adelie penguins helped to support the research. Mabel and Monty were created by computer programs. The penguins filmed this video, which is the actual thing. This video shows the amazing and somewhat awkward landwalker becoming a skilled swimmer when he dives into the ocean. Mr. Downie stated that “Montymania last Christmas helped support scientific research using new technology” and “Ultimately this will help us to safeguard the future of these incredible birds which are threatened due to predicted climate change.” Adelie Penguins usually stay underwater for between 2 to 3 minutes when they feed, but the longest time this has been recorded is nearly 6 minutes. They frequently dive to 40-50 metres but occasionally to 120-140 metres deep. 170 meters is the deepest dive recorded by this species. The penguin comes up for air in this photo. (Image: WWF). Conservationists claim that the video is not only entertaining but also provides valuable insights into the feeding habits of penguins at a time in which the Adelie species was listed as Near Threatened. Climate change and Adelie penguins. Although conservationists often blame climate change as the reason for Adelie’s uncertain future, which predicts a 30% drop in global numbers over the next three generations of the species, an Australian study has shown that the Antarctic glaciers could actually be in their favor. The penguin population in East Antarctica has greatly increased, despite the fact that East Antarctica’s glaciers are decreasing. Penguins nest along Antarctic coasts on land that is ice free. They have more land to nest on because of deglaciation. It is easier for them to hunt for food and forage for it for their juveniles and babies when the sea ice melts. According to the Penguin Foundation, little penguins need to go out to sea for food. They prefer to eat anchovies and pilchards as well as red cod, red cod, warehou and barracouta, along with a few squid. Image: www.zoo.org.au. The Adelie penguin population more than doubled in the past 20 year. Scientists warn that this trend will change soon and the population of Adelie penguins could plummet if nothing is done. Heather Lynch, an Assistant Professor of Ecology at Stony Brook University, New York published last year a study that showed the Adelie Penguin population was 53% greater than previously estimated. She warned, however, that their fate may change quickly if they don’t make concerted efforts in conserving their food supply. Professor Lynch stated that while Adelie penguins are thriving, it is important to remember the importance of protecting the Antarctic food web. Citation: Grace J. Sutton, Andrew J. Hoskins, John P. Y. Arnould. PLOS ONE. 16 December, 2015. DOI: DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144297. Video: Penguins hunting for food underwater. Australian scientists installed tiny cameras onto little Eudyptula Minor penguins to record their hunting patterns and types.
