Chinstrap Penguins by Paige Mongon

Harsh, inhospitable, barren- this is the landscape which is miraculously home to hundreds upon thousands of chinstrap penguins. Defined by the black ‘strap’ beneath their chins (hence their name), these penguins are just one species amidst thousands who are suffering as a result of climate change. Due to how isolated the island is where chinstrap penguins nest (Elephant Island), the last census conducted was in 1971, when 123,000 nests were recorded. Yet the most recent survey found less than half this number, with no trace as to where the rest of the penguins could have disappeared to. Strycker, a scientist on the team studying the chinstrap penguins, says this is a 56% decrease in their population. As this was more of a preliminary expedition, the scientists were there only to record the chinstrap penguin population, not determine potential causes for such a steep decline. Nonetheless, scientists have tentatively begun to link this alarming drop to climate change, the very condition which appears to plaguing virtually every living being on this planet. It isn’t just the chinstrap penguins who are facing such declines- krill, a staple to the Antarctic food chain, has faced problems with their population plummeting as well (up to an 80% decrease in some areas), and this has also possibly been attributed to the warming climate. Chinstrap penguins have been known to consume the miniscule crustaceans, and small fish (which also are a main portion of a penguin’s diet) eat krill as well. Another way climate change could be killing the penguins is in the form of rain. As the climate warms, it begins to rain more frequently in Antarctica, which is a threat to penguin chicks as once they are wet, they are much more likely to contract hypothermia and, as a result, die. However, this is just one study, as it requires a lot of effort and specialized equipment to reach Elephant Island. Seeing as such, warns scientists, we must not be too quick to place so much on this study alone- more research must be conducted to further establish this population decline and why it is plaguing chinstrap populations. Nonetheless, people should pay attention and care- this one study is very compelling; it just needs to be further corroborated by other, more thorough studies. Though these penguins have previously been listed  (and currently still are listed) as a species of “‘least concern’” population-wise by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, these findings may change that. Half the chinstrap population is just… Gone. What will happen as time turns evermore and climate change becomes increasingly more prevalent? How much further will the population drop? Such declines can be noted in varying species all over the globe, not just in Antarctica but in the Amazon and Australia and many more destinations. While penguins are likely not located near your house, other populations facing such population declines due to climate change likely are, altering the ecosystems around you permanently.