Emperor Penguins Gaining the Protection They Deserve

The world largest penguins, Aptenodytes forsteri, better known as Emperor penguins, are heavily reliant on sea ice platforms for avoiding predators, breeding grounds and nutrition. With rising temperatures, this sea ice is melting and thus threatening the penguin species. In fact, Emperor penguin populations are predicted to decline 26-47% by 2050 (The Wildlife Society). Fortunately, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized this unfortunate reality and finalized plans to list the species under the Endangered Species Act, taking effect on November 25th. The importation and exportation of Emperor penguins is now illegal aside from certain USFWS and state fish and wildlife agencies. Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, humans are actively preventing the extinction of at-risk plants and animals, like Emperor penguins, in hopes of the species eventually no longer needing protection intervention.