Emperor penguin preparing to jump over crack in sea ice

Protect Emperor Penguins

Now endangered, their survival depends on what we do next.

They’ve survived everything their habitat can throw at them. Until Now.

Emperor Penguins have long thrived in Antarctica’s extreme conditions. But as their icy home warms more each year and populations decline, this remarkable species is now endangered and faces their greatest challenge yet.

A species like no other

Emperor penguins diving in the sea — © Doug Allan / naturepl.com / WWF

Emperor penguin breeding colony one looking above heads of many huddled together in storm — © Stefan Christmann / naturepl.com / WWF

Emperor penguins are extraordinary. They’ve adapted to survive temperatures as low as minus 50°C, winds of up to 200kmph and dives of more than 500 meters in the icy waters below. Their feathers are crucial to their survival. Consisting of a dense double layer which they moult and regrow annually. The outer layer is waterproof and windproof, while the inner layers provide vital insulation.

Colonies have developed a unique behaviour to shelter from the elements. They form tight huddles in which each penguin leans into their neighbour for warmth with juveniles in the centre. In a continuous slow rotation, they move along the outer edge and inwards so they each take a turn near the warm centre. A perfect example of co-operation that helps the whole colony survive.

Their greatest challenge yet

Climate change

The one thing emperor penguins might not be able to survive.

Due to increasing human pressures, Antarctica is warming quicker than emperor penguins may be able to adapt to. The sea ice they rely on to breed, feed and moult is forming later and breaking up earlier each year.

In some areas, the ice is melting before chicks have developed the waterproof feathers they need to survive, leading to devastating losses within colonies.

Drifting melting ice in the sea — © Wim van Passel / WWF

These pressures are driving population declines and have led to the emperor penguin being classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN).

If we don’t escalate our efforts now, emperor penguins could be on a path to extinction by the end of this century.

Together, we can make a difference

There is hope for emperor penguins. We are already making progress, but we need your help to do more.

Emperor penguins jumping out of water onto sea ice with tunnel of water trailing from its tail. — © Stefan Christmann / naturepl.com / WWF

Monitoring emperor colonies

With your support we can search for and monitor emperor colonies across Antarctica. Working with our science partners, using satellites, drones and researchers on the ice to build a better picture of how emperors are coping, if they are adapting – and where they need our help most.

Drone flying over a colony of emperor penguins standing in ice — © Neil Ever Osborne

Gather evidence

Your donation can help us gather the critical evidence needed to strengthen protections for emperor penguins. This evidence can inform an Action Plan to drive their conservation and support our efforts to secure them as a Specially Protected Species under the Antarctic Treaty.

Two male emperor penguins brooding chick and incubating egg. — © Stefan Christmann / naturepl.com / WWF

Tackle the root cause

Science already shows nature can recover, and change can happen faster than we think. With your help we can continue to tackle the causes of climate change and keep up pressures on governments, businesses and industries worldwide to take positive action.

Just like emperor penguins, if we work together, we can weather any storm.

Emperor penguins’ fate is now in our hands

Please donate today to help us protect emperor penguins.

Penguin with tracking device in his back and four men in the background

£15

£15 Could help fund the equipment needed to track and monitor penguins and understand how they’re adapting

Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) chicks huddling, Antarctica. © Stefan Christmann / naturepl.com

£30

£30 Could purchase thermal field gear to help scientists to survive the bitter Antarctic cold during penguin surveys

£50

 £50 Could help drive action to tackle the climate crisis and protect penguins and their habitat

Emperor penguin lying down on stomach on ice

Donate an amount

Please give what you can to protect emperor penguins and their habitat. Thank you

Protect Emperor Penguins

A species like no other

Their greatest challenge yet