Why scientists fear Emperor penguins’ annual moult may be killing them

Emperor penguins face a perilous annual challenge as the timing of their feather molt appears to be increasingly linked to a higher mortality rate. This critical period requires the penguins to remain on floating sea ice long enough to shed and regrow their entire plumage, a process vital for their survival in the harsh Antarctic environment. However, concerns are mounting that a shrinking and less stable sea ice habitat may be forcing them to undergo this vulnerable phase in suboptimal conditions, potentially leading to starvation and death. The dependence on sea ice for molting means that any disruption to its formation, extent, or duration poses a significant threat to the species. Scientists are closely monitoring this phenomenon, as the annual molt, once a predictable part of their life cycle, is now emerging as a potential life-threatening event for Emperor penguins.