Colonies of emperor penguins wiped out as ice melts to new lows: study

Emperor penguins are seen in Dumont d'Urville, Antarctica April 10, 2012. Picture taken April 10, 2012. — Photo: REUTERS/Martin Passingham/File Photo

Colonies of emperor penguin chicks were wiped out last year as global warming eroded their icy homes, a study published Thursday found, despite the birds' attempts to adapt to the shrinking landscape.

The study by the British Antarctic Survey found that record-low sea ice levels in 2023 contributed to the second-worst year for emperor penguin chick mortality since observations began in 2018.