One of the primary animals in the Antarctic is the Emperor Penguin. These penguins are the biggest of all penguin species. They can be over 3 feet tall and weigh between 50 to 99 pounds. They are flightless animals given their weight. They don’t even have wings; instead, they have flappers, which allow them to become expert swimmers. With the frightening climate for the region and its potentially dire consequences, it is thought that the near extinction of the Emperor Penguin could come as early as 2100.
These emperor penguins were featured in a stunning French-produced film, March of The Penguins. Released in 2005, this film showcased the hardship of penguins in their ritual of mating, care for the single egg produced, and feeding. Fast forward to 2024, and there are only 66 colonies left.
Recently, in preparation for a National Geographic special mini-series on the penguins, a photographer filmed an event that is so unusual, it has never been captured on video. The event spoken of here is around 700 fledglings jumping 50 feet off a cliff into the waters below to feed. The event was captured in the northern region of Antarctica at Atka Bay. Normally, the fledglings are born on sea ice platforms that require only a foot or two jump into seawater to feed. But 50 feet? That’s an amazing feat and one that sets new precedence.
An Incredible Dive
Once the fledglings lose their baby feathers (at around five months), they are prompted to jump into the sea to learn to feed on their own. This new jump from 50 feet is creating new theories as to why the penguins are that high up. It is thought that declining sea ice has forced the penguin to move to what are thought to be safer places. Now that they are on higher elevations, they must feed, requiring the fledglings to make an incredible jump to do so.
To not disturb the penguins, a camera-outfitted drone was used to film the amazing feats. The drop the penguins must undertake here is an unnerving jump. The footage shows hesitation but then a brave fledgling makes the jump. Upon entering the waters, the penguin emerges from the depth and swims happily around. That lone penguin set the tone for the rest and a mass jump was successfully undertaken. Watch that historic video footage here. With over 3.5 million views, it will be hard for you to NOT shed a tear at this need to survive pushed to the brink.