Near the Ukrainian Antarctic station, huge penguins settled

During the 10 years of observations – from 2011 to 2022 – the number of nests increased more than six times, according to the National Antarctic Research Center.

Near the Antarctic research station Akademik Vernadsky, the number of penguins has increased significantly in recent years, and until 2007, subantarctic penguins did not nest in this area. Polar explorers joke: “it’s expansion”, but they explain the real reason. This was reported by the National Antarctic Research Center.

“Scientists believe that the main reason for this is the last freezing of the water around Galindez Island, where the station is located,” the report said.

In the past, the frosts recorded in this area were below 20 degrees, and because of the ice, the penguins could not hunt effectively and chose territories in the north where the ice did not stop.

But warming also came to the Antarctic continent, and in 2007, the first penguin nests appeared on the cape of Marina Point near the station.

During the 10 years of observation – from 2011 to 2022 – the number of nests increased more than six times: in 2011 there were 220 nests, and in 2022 – 1434 nests. 2020 was a record year – near the Akademik Vernadsky station, polar explorers counted 1,800 penguin nests.

Due to the abundance of snow in 2022, the penguins expanded their habitat, this year the process continues.

“They settled on rocks that were once inaccessible to them in the area of ​​Penguin Point, as well as on the dome of Govorukha, the dominant hill of the island,” said the biologists.

Station workers note that large colonies of black and white birds create the feeling that you are living in a chicken farm.

It was previously reported that an abnormally warm winter was recorded in Antarctica.

At the Vernadsky station they joked about “the invasion of penguins”

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