Wildlife Support

Climate Crisis in Antarctica: Meet the Animals in Danger

Climate Crisis in Antarctica:
Meet the Animals in Danger

Endangered Species of Antarctica

🐧Penguins

Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

Considered “Near Threatened” by the IUCN, it faces increasing risks due to the loss of sea ice, which is essential for its reproduction. In 2023, 20% of colonies experienced reproductive failures due to early ice melt, resulting in the death of thousands of chicks. Reuters

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus)

Chinstrap penguin standing on an ice surface in Antarctica.

Although classified as “Least Concern,” its populations have declined by up to 77% in some colonies in recent decades, mainly due to the reduction of krill, its primary food source. Time

Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome)

Southern rockhopper penguin on a rock with the sea in the background.

Listed as “Vulnerable,” it faces population declines due to habitat degradation and changes in ocean currents.

🐋 Whales

Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus)

Classified as “Endangered,” it suffered drastic declines in the 20th century due to commercial whaling. Although its populations are slowly recovering, they still face threats such as ship collisions and habitat changes.

Sei Whale (Balaenoptera borealis)

Sei whale swimming next to its calf in calm ocean waters.

Also “Endangered,” with populations estimated at around 50,000 individuals, it faces similar threats to the blue whale.

🐦 Albatrosses

Tristan Albatross (Diomedea dabbenena)

Critically Endangered, with an estimated population between 3,400 and 4,800 individuals, it suffers from longline fishing and the introduction of predators to its nesting areas.

Sooty Albatross (Phoebetria fusca)

Classified as “Endangered,” it faces population declines due to longline fishing, pollution, and predation of chicks by giant petrels and introduced rodents.

🐟 Fish and Others

Antarctic Silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica)

Antarctic silverfish swimming in icy waters, with an elongated and shiny body.

A keystone species in the Antarctic marine ecosystem, it has disappeared from areas where it was once abundant, possibly due to warming waters and changes in ice cover.