![]() ![]() 4) Excessive FishingĪn increase in fishing in areas where penguin populations exist can contribute to a decrease in food availability for the penguins. Oil can also enter the body of the penguins and harm the internal organs. The oil also decreases the insulating and waterproofing properties of the plumage of penguins, and they become susceptible to the effects of freezing water. The oil clings to the skin and feathers of the penguins and prevents them from swimming properly to look for food. In modern times, oil spills have become a cause of concern for penguins as well as other aquatic animals. If penguins are fed food by tourists, it can impact their metabolism and natural hunting abilities. As humans interfere with penguin habitat, the habits of the penguins change in terms of feeding or looking out for danger from other animals. Human activity is one of the primary reasons for the risks posed to penguins. With less availability of ice, their habitat is in definite danger. These two species depend on the sea ice to hunt for food and build their nests. Two penguin species that face maximum risk from global warming are Emperor penguin and Adelie penguins. As water levels in the Antarctic region rise, there is less ice and snow which further leads to low availability of food for many animals, including penguins. Global warming is one of the major risk factors that is creating adverse conditions for penguins. Here are some of the reasons why penguins are at risk. There are several reasons why penguins are endangered and all these reasons contribute to the level of extinction risk that penguins are facing. The species has been trying to recover from the effects of that event and the current population of these penguins is around 2000. One reason for this penguin’s endangered status is an El Nino event in 1982 that wiped out 77% of the population of Galapagos penguin. ![]() The breeding pattern of these penguins is dependent on climate, and adverse climate can lead to an unfavorable breeding session. The penguin weighs 2.5 kilograms on an average and grows up to 49 centimeters. ![]() This species of endangered penguin is the only species that is found North of the equator in the Galapagos islands. 1) Northern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes moseleyi) Let’s take a quick look at these species. There are five major penguin species that are termed as endangered by IUCN. Which Are the Endangered Penguin Species? The rising sea levels and global warming also impact the penguin population as the birds are not able to mate, breed, and naturally care for their chicks. The indiscriminate hunting of penguins in the early 19th century coupled with the slow breeding cycles of penguins has put the existence of these birds in jeopardy. While five of the penguin species are listed as Endangered (EN) some species are listed as Vulnerable (VU), and others are listed as Near-Threatened (NT). Sadly, many species of penguins are also endangered as they are on this list with varying levels of threat to their existence. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keeps track of species that are endangered or near extinction. The impact of human activity has also affected penguins that live in some of the remotest areas of the planet. In modern times, extinction is a real risk for many species of animals because of increasing human involvement in their habitat and way of living. The remaining species of penguins are at different levels of endangerment. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are five species of penguins that are facing extinction and seven species are listed as vulnerable. During this period, they lose nearly half of their body weight, remaining on land and fasting.Are penguins endangered? This question must have arisen in your mind whenever you looked at the cute and cuddly penguins in a zoo or on the television. Once a year, returning to their colonies, these birds undergo molt, which lasts about 20 days.African penguins make long foraging trips of up to 110 km (68 miles) at one time.These birds are excellent divers, able to dive as deep as 130 meters, though usually, they dive at about 30 meters on average.Meanwhile, circulating through these glands, their blood cools down by the surrounding air. The blood flow in their glands speeds up with the increasing temperature and the glands enlarge, attaining dark pink color. Above their eyes, the birds possess pink glands, which serve as thermoregulation.African penguins are able to hold their breath under the water for 2.5 minutes on average.Meanwhile, they are sometimes called "jackass penguins" due to braying, and giving out donkey-like calls. African penguins use three main types of vocalizations: bray, yell, and haw. ![]()
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