Emperor penguins now a threatened species due to climate change, U.S. says

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

New York (Reuters) - Antarctica’s emperor penguin is at risk of extinction due to rising global temperatures and sea ice loss, the U.S. government said Tuesday as it finalized protections for the animal under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said emperor penguins should be protected under the law since the birds build colonies and raise their young on the Antarctic ice threatened by climate change.