Nature & Environment

Ultra-rare penguin caught on film in Antarctica

By T.K. Randall
February 19, 2019

Image: Antarctica - Petermann Island
Credit: W. Bulach / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) Known as melanism, the condition is usually fatal for penguins as it makes them an easier target for predators. This particular individual however seems to have managed to defy the odds.

It was filmed by a camera crew as part of the BBC wildlife series Dynasties.

Melanism has been documented before in other penguin species - especially in king penguins.

Emperor penguins with entirely black feathers however are so rare that it has been suggested that this could be the first video footage of one ever recorded.

"He or she could be the only one of its kind!" the BBC wrote in a trailer for the series (see below).


Source: Huffington Post

Tags: Penguin