Short Wave The plight of penguins in Antarctica
22 snips
Jan 23, 2026 
Joining the discussion, Elsa Chang is a science journalist focusing on Antarctic penguins and ice science. She reveals that penguins are breeding earlier than ever due to a warming climate, highlighting the impact of environmental conditions on their mating habits. Elsa also shares insights from a study using 77 cameras to monitor penguin colonies over a decade. In a fascinating pivot, they explore how dirty diapers influence parental disgust responses and the practical applications of this habituation research in caregiving roles.
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Penguin Breeding Seasons Shift Earlier
- Adelie and chinstrap penguins are breeding about 10 days earlier and gentoo nearly two weeks earlier across the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Researchers link this radical seasonal shift to rapid regional warming and changing local conditions, like ice and food availability.
Hourly Cameras Gave Decadal Data
- Researchers used 77 cameras across 37 colonies that photographed every hour for a decade to gather long-term data.
- Bill Fraser praises the camera method as a clever way to get continuous Antarctic observations beyond human visits.
Some Penguins May Benefit From Warming
- Gentoo penguins appear better suited to warming conditions and a wider fish diet, helping them fare better than other species.
- The study suggests some species may thrive while others struggle as the Peninsula warms.