In the opinion of researchers, the fate of King Penguins depends on man’s ability to control Global warming, because it has a direct effect on the survival of these birds. If global temperatures continue to rise, their natural habitats will be destroyed and they would have to move out from their familiar and key nesting sites. Their source of food would go out of reach and they would have to cover larger distances to fetch food for their chicks.
The BBC reports that according to a study carried out by a reputed French research institute and the University of Strasbourg, nearly 70 percent of these birds will have to relocate to more agreeable surroundings or go extinct.
It would mean the loss of more than one million breeding pairs. This could happen before the end of the century and would be the result of greenhouse gas emissions.
The king penguins
There are 17 species of penguins and king penguins are in a separate class because they are choosy about their habitats. They usually prefer sub-antarctic islands that are devoid of sea-ice but have an abundance of smooth sandy or pebble beach where they can bring up their chicks. Another requirement for their survival is food, like fish and squid. They are found in specific areas of the Southern Ocean, which is home to food for these birds. The area is rich in nutrients. If global warming is not checked, the source of food might move out of range of the birds and endanger the lives of the chicks.
Hence, if the birds have to be saved from extinction, the greenhouse gas emissions must be controlled. There is a need to substitute fossil fuels with alternative fuels to check global warming.
Global warming affects polar bears in the Arctic
King penguins belong to Antarctica and could face starvation and possible extinction due to global warming.
A similar situation is there in the Arctic, where polar bears are threatened with loss of food sources and dwindling population.
According to Independent UK, polar bears in the Arctic are starving because of shrinking of ice due to climate change. Scientists have monitored the activity of these creatures and concluded that their demand for energy is high.
When they do not get enough food, they begin to lose a portion of their body mass regularly. They hunt seals and as the ice melts, the bears lose the hunting grounds. They have to travel ever greater distances in search of food, otherwise, they have to go hungry.
A study undertaken in the Beaufort Sea revealed that the polar bear numbers have reduced drastically. The reduction was nearly 40 percent between 2001 and 2010. This is a dangerous trend, and greenhouse gas emissions must be controlled to remove the threat of global warming. This will ensure that polar bears and king penguins will not become extinct.