A newly released satellite analysis has shown a 22% decline in emperor penguin numbers across 16 colonies in Antarctica from 2009 to 2024. The study, published on June 10, 2025, focused on specific areas, including the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and Bellingshausen Sea. The primary cause of the population drop is the rapid loss of sea ice, which has been worsening due to global warming. Stable sea ice is essential for emperor penguins as it provides a base for nesting and feeding. Researcher Peter Fretwell of the British Antarctic Survey noted that shrinking ice coverage is significantly affecting the birds’ habitat. Earlier studies had projected a 10% reduction in the overall population, but the recent data suggests a more severe, localized impact.

The findings were based on high-resolution satellite imagery combined with population modeling, allowing scientists to estimate the density of penguins in each colony. The 16 colonies studied are believed to make up nearly 30% of the total emperor penguin population, which is native to Antarctica. Researchers warned that further ice loss may increase the presence of natural predators such as leopard seals and orcas, which could reach penguin habitats earlier in the season. Rising sea temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are also expected to lower chick survival rates and reduce food availability. Daniel Zitterbart, a penguin expert who was not involved in the research, described the results as both serious and without precedent. The study reinforces concerns about the emperor penguin’s ability to survive in a changing climate and emphasizes the growing threats facing wildlife in polar regions.