Actions Taken

Many efforts have been placed to help avoid further damage of the habitats of emperor penguins and their possible extinction predicted in the future. Actions toward conservation has been implemented through treaties/policies, conventions, research programs, and the acknowledgement of humans activities and involvement which deduct from the survival rate of emperor penguins.

·         The Antarctic Treaty: This treaty protects Antarctica and the animals who occupy this as their habitat, which makes it illegal to harm or interfere with penguins or their eggs. It was signed by 12 nations in 1959 and reauthorized in 1991.

·         The Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources - CCAML: The Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC), who is a member of the IUCN, developed and presented four papers addressing aspects of climate change and its effects and consequences on Antarctic marine and terrestrial environments to the Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts (ATME). This type of work will further improve Antarctic management and governance in a way that will positively impact the emperor penguins and other organisms in the Antarctic area.

·         Many programs, such as the Penguin Lifelines by ZSL, research the threats of Antarctic penguins by focusing on long-term monitoring in the field and practicing genetic analysis. Programs such as this can be utilized to inform policy and also to educate on the impact of global warming on penguin species.  

Large-Scale Commercial Fisheries

Global warming is not something that can be altered quickly; rather, it is a long-term goal that can only be changed by the change in global mentality of this issue and the efforts of all of us on the planet. It is critical, therefore, to reduce other threats to penguins to increase their ability to survive the added pressures from this warming. Some current threats to penguins include:

·         Oil spills

·         Marine pollution

·         Habitat destruction

·         Human disturbance

·         Direct harvest of eggs and birds

       Penguin Affected by Oil Spill