[Reading Science] 'Endangered' Emperor Penguin Found Using Satellite

British Antarctic Survey, Announced on the 20th
High-Resolution Images Allowing Population Count Verification

▲Representative animal of Antarctica, the Emperor Penguin. [Photo by Korea Polar Research Institute]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Satellites with improved performance are becoming the vanguard in preventing global warming and protecting ecosystems. This time, a large habitat of the endangered 'Emperor Penguin' was newly discovered in Antarctica, and the population was confirmed. This is analyzed as a case where the utilization of satellites is expanding along with the Russia-Ukraine war and other factors.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), part of the UK Natural Environment Research Council, announced this on the 20th in observance of 'Penguin Awareness Day.' They revealed that the high-resolution Earth observation camera operated by the private satellite company Maxar Technologies' 'WorldView-3 satellite' accidentally discovered a new large-scale habitat of Emperor Penguins at Buleger Point in West Antarctica.

A newly discovered emperor penguin habitat in West Antarctica, recently identified by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) through satellite imagery.
[Photo by BAS]

This satellite image boasts ultra-high resolution capable of identifying objects as small as 30 cm, confirming that about 1,000 adult penguins were paired and raising chicks. Penguin habitats are relatively easy to identify because the white snow and ice are stained yellowish by their droppings. However, counting the number of individuals was a difficult task. BAS succeeded in counting the population by first identifying the ice area stained yellow by penguin droppings using other satellites, then counting individuals through WorldView-3 satellite images where one individual is represented by a single pixel.

The Emperor Penguin grows up to 1 meter and weighs up to 45 kg, making it the largest among about ten penguin species. Thousands live in colonies and it has become the representative penguin species of Antarctica, popular among people. 'Pengsoo,' a character created by a Korean broadcasting station, is also an Emperor Penguin. However, since they breed only on sea ice, their habitat is shrinking due to melting caused by global warming, and they were classified as an endangered species last year, facing a crisis.

A newly discovered emperor penguin habitat in West Antarctica, recently identified by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) through satellite imagery.
[Photo by BAS]

Emperor Penguin habitats have been difficult to find, but they have been identified through satellite images of the Antarctic coastline. Recent analysis of satellite images estimates that the total Emperor Penguin population in Antarctica is about 20% higher than previously predicted. Peter Fretwell, head of the BAS Geographic Information Unit, said, "Last year, Antarctica recorded the smallest sea ice extent ever, and this year is even more severe, with the trend continuing for two consecutive years," adding, "By the end of the 21st century, at least 80% of Emperor Penguin habitats are expected to disappear."

Meanwhile, NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and others are using satellites to analyze trends in global warming, changes in vegetation, and the rate of sea level rise to respond to climate change.