World largest king penguin colony in decline

[Still Waters 30,338]

The planet’s largest colony of king penguins has declined by nearly 90% in three decades, researchers have warned.

The last time scientists set foot on France’s remote Île aux Cochons – roughly half way between the tip of Africa and Antarctica – the island was blanketed by 2m of the penguins, which stand about a metre tall.

But recent satellite images and photos taken from helicopters show the population has collapsed, with barely 200,000 remaining, according to a study published in Antarctic Science.

Why the colony on Île aux Cochons has been so decimated remains a mystery.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/30/worlds-largest-king-penguin-colony-has-declined-by-90