Almost two-thirds of the chinstrap penguin population on Zavodovski Island, a remote volcanic island near Antarctica, has disappeared, according to aerial surveys. The island, a UK overseas territory, was previously home to the world's largest penguin colony.
The study indicates that there were 63% fewer occupied chinstrap penguin nests in 2025 compared to 2011. Researchers suggest that climate change is impacting the birds' food supply and survival, and the penguins may now be officially endangered.
Professor Norman Ratcliffe, who led the research, explained that the chinstraps' specialised diet and preference for cooler waters have made them vulnerable. He stated that krill, the chinstrap penguins' food source, has moved southwards due to warming waters, and sea-ice cover and a lack of suitable nesting islands prevent the penguins from following their food.
In contrast, macaroni penguins, another species nesting on the island, are thriving. Scientists believe this is linked to their more varied diet, with tracking data showing macaronis foraging in warmer waters and supplementing their diets with fish and other crustaceans.
The research, led by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is published in the journal Current Biology.