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The emperor penguin.
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The biggest...
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..and the most iconic...
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..of a remarkable family.
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00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:40,400
For many of us, this is how
we picture penguins.
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But these birds are
full of surprises.
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One family.
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18 different faces.
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More diverse than you ever imagined.
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00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:14,720
Making use of extraordinary
adaptations...
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00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:19,960
..and innovative abilities...
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00:01:23,320 --> 00:01:27,160
..they've conquered some of the most
extreme places on Earth.
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00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:40,760
And for the first time...
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..you and I are going to meet
every single species
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in this incredible family...
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MAN CHUCKLES
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..to discover what makes penguins
so remarkable.
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PENGUINS VOCALISE
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The forests of New Zealand.
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Not the first place you'd expect
to see a penguin.
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But here, amongst the trees...
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..lives the Snares penguin.
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They almost seem out of place.
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But, in fact, it was here that
penguins first evolved
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over 60 million years ago.
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00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:18,480
And there are now more species
of penguins in New Zealand
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than any other country on Earth.
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60,000 penguins have made
this forest their home.
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It's a maze of twists and turns.
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00:03:55,680 --> 00:04:00,280
But this well-trodden path leads
them to a secret hideaway.
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This is just one of the many
forest clearings
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where the penguins come to nest.
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00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:22,440
With no native land predators,
New Zealand has always offered
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these flightless sea birds
a sanctuary.
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A safe haven for rearing
their young.
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00:04:40,280 --> 00:04:43,800
But there is one big disadvantage
to forest living.
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Mud.
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Thousands of tiny webbed feet
turn the damp ground
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into a veritable quagmire.
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This doesn't just result in
a grubby appearance -
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it could threaten their lives.
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00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:11,200
A penguin's feathers are crucial
for waterproofing
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and insulation out at sea.
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If they're clogged with mud,
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penguins can't regulate
their body temperature
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and could die from the cold.
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00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:27,520
But the Snares have found
a solution.
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It's time for a trip to
the penguin baths.
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After a thorough rinse,
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the penguins spread a very special
wax through their feathers.
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00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,760
Produced in a gland at
the base of the tail,
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it creates a waterproof barrier that
insulates and streamlines.
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The wax is also antimicrobial,
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deterring unwanted germs.
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For some penguins, this process can
take up to three hours a day.
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00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:34,480
But it's a price worth paying
for their forest sanctuary.
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Penguins can be found
in unexpected places.
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And perhaps nowhere is more
surprising than this one.
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00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:04,960
Here, penguins have found a way to
survive the usual sweltering heat
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00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:06,160
of the equator.
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They're one of the smallest members
of the family,
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standing at just 50cm.
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00:07:18,160 --> 00:07:19,800
The Galapagos penguins.
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00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:31,320
These remote volcanic islands may
seem harsh and unforgiving.
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But the inlets and coves
offer a haven,
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and not just for penguins.
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With few land predators,
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the rocky shores provide ample
nesting sites
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and shelter from the sun.
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00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:00,960
Lava tubes crisscross the islands.
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00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:06,800
It's the perfect place to escape
the midday heat...
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..and raise young.
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CHICKS PEEP
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There are other advantages, too.
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00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:22,320
Even though these islands are
located on the equator...
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00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:27,000
..the water is much colder
than you'd expect.
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00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:33,920
And it's all because of
the Humboldt Current.
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00:08:42,720 --> 00:08:47,200
Travelling from over 5,000 miles
away in Antarctica,
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it delivers cold penguin-friendly
water to these volcanic islands...
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..as well as food in abundance.
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00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:08,000
It's thought that the Humboldt
Current carried the penguins here
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around four million years ago.
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They certainly didn't fly here.
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Penguins are believed to have
lost that ability
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60 million years ago.
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00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,840
Swimming is what penguins do best.
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Sheltered islands, cool waters
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and a rich stream of food allows
the Galapagos penguin
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to live further north
than any other.
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It might seem like an unusual home
for them,
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00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,440
but penguins are excellent
at pushing boundaries.
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00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:11,200
Cape Town is home to
4.6 million people...
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..and 3,000 penguins.
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00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:27,200
This is the African penguin.
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00:10:30,920 --> 00:10:33,760
When they've had enough of posing
for the cameras...
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SHE EXCLAIMS
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00:10:35,760 --> 00:10:37,640
HE CHUCKLES
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00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:40,080
..they head for
an unexpected retreat.
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00:10:41,560 --> 00:10:43,000
VEHICLE HORNS BLARE
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This female has secured herself
a perfect nesting spot
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in a residential garden.
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TRAFFIC RUMBLES
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00:11:02,400 --> 00:11:05,120
The road outside can get noisy,
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00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:06,840
but she doesn't seem to mind.
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00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,360
The traffic keeps predators at bay.
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00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:19,040
She's hungry, but she must wait
for her mate to return
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or risk losing the nest to
another penguin.
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00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:28,960
And he's just started
his journey home.
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00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,840
We might be more used to seeing
penguins hopping up rocks...
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00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:48,280
..but steps can be much
more convenient.
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00:11:57,160 --> 00:12:00,840
It's rush hour in the city,
and to get back to the nest,
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00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:03,920
he joins the rest of
Cape Town's commuters.
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VEHICLE HORNS BLARE
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Travelling with a group
keeps him safer
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on the busy roads and pathways.
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00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:18,760
HORNS BLARE AND ENGINES RUMBLE
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TRAFFIC ZOOMS PAST
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00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,360
VEHICLE HORNS HONK
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00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:44,160
The hectic traffic separates
the pack.
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00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:01,640
A recent study has revealed that
African penguins
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have a complex vocal repertoire,
similar to that of humans.
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And the group can recognise
individual calls.
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00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:13,240
PENGUIN CALLS
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00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:16,880
But it's hard to be heard over
the noise of rush-hour traffic.
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00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:18,280
TRUCK HORN BLARES
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00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:23,600
He needs to wait it out.
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00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,480
His mate will have to be patient.
128
00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:32,840
He's going to be late again.
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Time to make a move.
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PENGUINS VOCALISE
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With eyes adapted to the depths
of the ocean,
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these dark streets don't pose
a problem.
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00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:16,200
His black feathers,
on the other hand,
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00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:17,200
are less useful.
135
00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:21,520
TYRES SCREECH
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00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:22,880
CAR HORN BLARES
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00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,720
He needs to keep a sharp lookout
for distracted drivers.
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He's almost home.
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00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:55,960
PENGUIN CALLS
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African penguins have changed
their behaviours to adapt
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to the modern world.
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00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:16,520
This pair have chosen a back-street
garden as a suitable nesting site.
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00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:24,440
PENGUIN CALLS
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00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:31,320
And finding a safe place to raise
young is a top priority
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00:15:31,320 --> 00:15:32,680
for all penguins.
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00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:39,600
But one species has gone to
even greater lengths.
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PENGUINS CALL
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These are Adelies.
149
00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:11,960
And this is the longest penguin
migration on Earth.
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00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:21,320
Adelies don't lay their eggs on ice,
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00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:24,840
so these males have travelled
8,000 miles to reach
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00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,640
an area of Antarctica
with bare rock.
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00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:35,400
99% of them return to the same
nests each year.
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00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:40,200
But after a harsh winter,
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00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:43,640
the entire breeding ground is
in need of renovation.
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00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,520
And time is of the essence.
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00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,760
The males have just days before
their partners return.
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No other penguin in the family
puts as much effort
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00:16:59,800 --> 00:17:01,480
into building its nest.
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And this conscientious male
takes his time selecting
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the perfect pebbles.
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00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:20,280
Finding stones that are just right
isn't easy...
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..so some sneaky individuals
have found a short cut.
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00:18:09,080 --> 00:18:12,640
This poor male seems unaware
that his hard work
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is being undermined.
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The thief's nest, however,
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is coming along very nicely.
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00:18:32,320 --> 00:18:35,760
He clearly knows to keep a sharp
lookout for raiders.
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00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:43,000
PENGUIN VOCALISES
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A few days later, the penguins have
finished their renovations.
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And with the females arriving,
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it's just in the nick of time.
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00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:10,840
These couples haven't seen
each other for nine months.
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PENGUINS VOCALISE
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00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:29,000
And whether through hard graft
or thievery,
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00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,280
the newly renovated nests seem to
have impressed.
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00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:56,680
There are no rocks available
for Humboldt penguins
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00:19:56,680 --> 00:19:57,840
to build their nests.
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00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:05,480
And you might be a little put off to
learn what they use instead.
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00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:14,240
So many sea birds live in
this part of Peru
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that the coastline is covered
in a thick pile of droppings.
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The resourceful Humboldts mould
them into perfect nests.
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00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:38,280
It's a messy business.
184
00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:44,280
But for the Humboldt,
it's home sweet home.
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00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:59,520
Penguins are certainly imaginative
nest-builders.
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00:20:59,520 --> 00:21:01,840
They're also devoted parents.
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And no penguins demonstrate this
better than the rockhoppers.
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00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:31,480
This male stands guard over his
newly hatched and hungry chick.
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He has nothing left to feed him.
190
00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:43,960
And if Mum doesn't get back soon,
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the chick will starve.
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00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:59,120
She's been out fishing
for several days
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00:21:59,120 --> 00:22:00,520
and is on her way back.
194
00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:03,800
But there's a huge challenge ahead.
195
00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:10,040
The rough sea crashing on this
jagged coastline is treacherous.
196
00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:19,640
And a huge male sea lion
100 times her size
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00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,040
is on the hunt for food.
198
00:22:34,040 --> 00:22:37,920
In such immense waves, strong
chest and back muscles
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00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:40,040
help her to withstand the impact.
200
00:22:52,120 --> 00:22:53,960
Each step is hard-won.
201
00:22:58,080 --> 00:22:59,760
And worse is to come.
202
00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:10,880
Any loss will have dire
consequences for a family.
203
00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:29,760
Mum and the others battle on,
204
00:23:29,760 --> 00:23:33,680
using their muscular flippers to
propel themselves out of his way.
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00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:07,280
She's almost there.
206
00:24:40,400 --> 00:24:41,920
SEA LION GRUNTS
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00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:47,520
Safely back on solid ground.
208
00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:57,600
And now she does what all
rockhoppers do best.
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00:24:58,880 --> 00:25:00,880
She hops all the way back home.
210
00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:12,400
She makes it look easy.
211
00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:28,880
The youngsters will get
there eventually.
212
00:25:55,360 --> 00:25:58,840
After an arduous climb
for over a mile,
213
00:25:58,840 --> 00:26:02,520
and out of reach of even the most
tenacious sea lion,
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00:26:02,520 --> 00:26:03,840
she makes it home.
215
00:26:05,800 --> 00:26:07,480
PENGUINS VOCALISE
216
00:26:14,120 --> 00:26:16,880
And at last, her chick gets a meal.
217
00:26:26,640 --> 00:26:28,400
Over the next two months,
218
00:26:28,400 --> 00:26:32,120
these devoted parents pull out
all the stops to ensure
219
00:26:32,120 --> 00:26:33,960
their youngster's survival...
220
00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:38,680
..with Dad starving himself to
protect the chick...
221
00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:45,120
..and Mum risking the waves
and the sea lions...
222
00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:49,760
..again and again.
223
00:27:03,200 --> 00:27:06,640
Penguins are incredibly
dedicated parents,
224
00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:10,000
going to extraordinary lengths
to protect their chicks.
225
00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:19,080
But penguin chicks aren't always
as helpless as they seem.
226
00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,680
Antarctica is the coldest
227
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and windiest continent on Earth.
228
00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:29,600
WIND HOWLS
229
00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:35,640
The largest member of the penguin
family chooses
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00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:37,720
to breed here regardless.
231
00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:52,120
Emperor chicks are the only
offspring to be born
232
00:27:52,120 --> 00:27:53,800
in the Antarctic winter.
233
00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:59,280
And with a wind-chill of
-50 degrees Celsius,
234
00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,240
to survive here, they have to
be tough.
235
00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:16,720
Special brooding pouches have
provided months of shelter
236
00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:18,600
from the bitter winds.
237
00:28:23,720 --> 00:28:25,600
The chicks may look vulnerable...
238
00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:31,320
..but they have special adaptations
of their own to stay warm.
239
00:28:34,200 --> 00:28:37,200
Feathery ankles keep out
the biting cold.
240
00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:38,480
CHICK PEEPS
241
00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:41,280
And the fat-rich food they're fed
242
00:28:41,280 --> 00:28:44,200
allows them to build up a thick
layer of blubber.
243
00:28:46,360 --> 00:28:47,520
Some chicks...
244
00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:50,080
..are fatter than others.
245
00:28:55,560 --> 00:28:59,000
Blubber is vital for keeping warm,
246
00:28:59,000 --> 00:29:01,840
but thinner chicks have
an incredible adaptation
247
00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:03,440
that helps to keep them alive.
248
00:29:05,880 --> 00:29:08,560
Scientists have discovered that
the cells of the chicks
249
00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:11,760
who eat less actually work
more efficiently,
250
00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:15,600
helping them to conserve more heat,
even on the coldest days.
251
00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:22,120
So, chubby or not,
these remarkable chicks
252
00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:23,960
are built to survive here.
253
00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:36,360
Emperor and king penguins are
the only birds on Earth
254
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to incubate the egg on their feet.
255
00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:44,880
But once hatched, they can't stay
there forever.
256
00:29:44,880 --> 00:29:49,520
And today, this chick must venture
out on to the freezing ice alone.
257
00:30:00,520 --> 00:30:02,760
With a little encouragement
from Dad...
258
00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:08,000
..he takes his first steps
on to the snow.
259
00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:18,040
His feet are perfectly adapted
to the terrain,
260
00:30:18,040 --> 00:30:21,240
with special fats to keep them
from freezing
261
00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:23,280
and strong claws to grip the ice.
262
00:30:25,720 --> 00:30:28,520
Dad keeps a close eye,
263
00:30:28,520 --> 00:30:31,000
but these first solo explorations
264
00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:34,440
are so important for this chick's
eventual independence.
265
00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:00,880
The chick is naturally curious
of this new world.
266
00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:30,720
Being able to make new friends
267
00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:34,040
will be crucial to a successful life
in the colony.
268
00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:55,440
But it can be dangerous to stray
too far from Dad.
269
00:32:21,280 --> 00:32:25,160
So strong is the parental urge to
raise a chick
270
00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:29,200
that these adults, who have lost
their chicks in the bitter storms,
271
00:32:29,200 --> 00:32:30,920
try to kidnap others.
272
00:32:34,000 --> 00:32:37,760
Desperation can turn to violence.
273
00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:39,560
PENGUINS VOCALISE
274
00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:50,760
This chick has had a lucky escape.
275
00:32:54,560 --> 00:32:56,040
WIND WHISTLES
276
00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:15,920
The volatile Antarctic weather
can change in an instant.
277
00:33:18,360 --> 00:33:21,000
And a chick can easily get
lost out there.
278
00:33:27,680 --> 00:33:30,520
Despite its cold weather
adaptations,
279
00:33:30,520 --> 00:33:34,440
this chick isn't quite ready for
complete independence.
280
00:33:34,440 --> 00:33:36,960
Without its insulating
adult feathers
281
00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:40,120
and the warmth of its parents,
it will perish.
282
00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:52,960
The chick's call
is as unique as a fingerprint.
283
00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:54,720
CHICK CALLS
284
00:33:56,440 --> 00:33:58,000
WIND WHISTLES
285
00:34:02,440 --> 00:34:04,760
Even from a distance,
286
00:34:04,760 --> 00:34:06,280
through howling winds...
287
00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:09,160
..Dad recognises it.
288
00:34:16,040 --> 00:34:17,560
CHICK PEEPS
289
00:34:36,440 --> 00:34:38,400
That's enough excitement
for one day.
290
00:34:48,760 --> 00:34:51,200
Penguins are especially successful
291
00:34:51,200 --> 00:34:54,040
because of their ability to live
in a colony...
292
00:34:57,720 --> 00:35:01,560
..creating some of the largest
bird gatherings on Earth.
293
00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:17,280
Over a million royal penguins
gather on
294
00:35:17,280 --> 00:35:19,640
the Pacific Ocean's
Macquarie Island.
295
00:35:22,360 --> 00:35:25,520
Having spent months out
in the open ocean,
296
00:35:25,520 --> 00:35:28,640
the cramped conditions can be
challenging at first.
297
00:35:28,640 --> 00:35:30,400
PENGUINS VOCALISE
298
00:35:32,040 --> 00:35:34,400
But there is safety in numbers.
299
00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:39,160
And across the Antarctic region,
300
00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:43,400
24 million macaronis live in
close-knit colonies...
301
00:35:46,120 --> 00:35:48,920
..the most numerous of
any penguin species.
302
00:35:50,600 --> 00:35:54,120
They gather chicks together into
creches to keep them safe.
303
00:35:59,520 --> 00:36:03,520
Such dedicated parenting has enabled
penguins to thrive
304
00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:04,920
in large numbers...
305
00:36:06,800 --> 00:36:09,600
..and their unique biology
has seen them conquer
306
00:36:09,600 --> 00:36:11,840
the Southern Ocean and beyond.
307
00:36:23,640 --> 00:36:26,640
This is the fastest penguin
on the planet.
308
00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:32,280
The Gentoo.
309
00:36:37,240 --> 00:36:42,080
Here in the Falkland Islands,
lobster krill occur in swarms.
310
00:36:45,200 --> 00:36:47,320
For the Gentoo...
311
00:36:47,320 --> 00:36:49,160
..it's a favourite feast.
312
00:36:53,080 --> 00:36:56,120
Reaching speeds of 22mph...
313
00:36:57,120 --> 00:37:00,320
..diving as deep as 200 metres...
314
00:37:00,320 --> 00:37:04,440
..and holding their breath
for up to seven minutes,
315
00:37:04,440 --> 00:37:08,320
they've evolved to become
supreme aquatic athletes.
316
00:37:14,760 --> 00:37:17,480
Bellies full, they head for shore.
317
00:37:27,200 --> 00:37:30,640
And now their skills are
really put to the test.
318
00:37:39,360 --> 00:37:41,000
A southern sea lion.
319
00:37:51,800 --> 00:37:54,800
The penguins' streamlined
bodies allow them to shoot
320
00:37:54,800 --> 00:37:56,520
out of the water.
321
00:37:58,240 --> 00:38:02,120
A trick known as porpoising,
thought to confuse predators.
322
00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:11,280
Short feet act like rudders,
catapulting them into the air.
323
00:38:15,600 --> 00:38:19,800
And fused muscular flippers allow
them to make sharp turns.
324
00:38:26,720 --> 00:38:30,720
Sea lions are extremely
adept in the water,
325
00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:33,840
but they can't quite compete
with the Gentoo's agility.
326
00:38:40,440 --> 00:38:44,000
On land, however, the penguins'
advantage is lost.
327
00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:05,320
The Gentoo's only chance
is to get back to the sea.
328
00:40:05,040 --> 00:40:06,240
It's made it.
329
00:40:16,200 --> 00:40:19,760
The Fjordland penguin uses
its streamlined body
330
00:40:19,760 --> 00:40:22,120
for another purpose...
331
00:40:22,120 --> 00:40:26,560
..to zip up the narrow streams
and rivers of New Zealand.
332
00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:29,640
A perfect short cut to safe
nesting grounds
333
00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:31,520
deep in the forest.
334
00:40:37,720 --> 00:40:41,800
Penguins are supremely adapted
to an aquatic life,
335
00:40:41,800 --> 00:40:45,040
spending 75% of their lives
in the water.
336
00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:50,680
But all penguins have to walk
on land at some point.
337
00:40:52,240 --> 00:40:56,480
And to get around, they've developed
a remarkable technique.
338
00:41:05,760 --> 00:41:07,840
This is the chinstrap penguin.
339
00:41:09,040 --> 00:41:12,080
It makes its home on some
of the most hostile islands
340
00:41:12,080 --> 00:41:13,960
of the Southern Ocean.
341
00:41:16,560 --> 00:41:18,960
Active volcanoes here
warm the ground...
342
00:41:20,360 --> 00:41:23,200
..melting the snow early
in the year.
343
00:41:26,680 --> 00:41:30,120
Trouble is, the best spots
are far from the sea.
344
00:41:32,280 --> 00:41:35,240
To get there means a very long walk.
345
00:41:47,000 --> 00:41:51,240
The tough hike is made easier
by the infamous penguin waddle.
346
00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:59,880
This unusual style of locomotion may
look inefficient,
347
00:41:59,880 --> 00:42:02,840
but surprisingly, it works
in their favour.
348
00:42:06,120 --> 00:42:09,840
Like a pendulum, the side-to-side
motion stores energy
349
00:42:09,840 --> 00:42:12,400
at the end of each movement.
350
00:42:12,400 --> 00:42:15,440
Energy that can be used
in the next step.
351
00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:23,120
We humans get 65% of the energy
back with each step...
352
00:42:23,120 --> 00:42:25,960
..but penguins can get up to 80%.
353
00:42:27,840 --> 00:42:31,680
So the waddle is more efficient
than our own walk...
354
00:42:32,880 --> 00:42:35,920
..which means they can walk
further for longer.
355
00:42:42,440 --> 00:42:47,240
And when it comes to a cliff face
covered in slippery volcanic ash...
356
00:42:51,600 --> 00:42:54,840
..the penguin's strong feet
and hooked beak
357
00:42:54,840 --> 00:42:57,080
pull and push it upwards.
358
00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:05,160
A bird built for life at sea
has mastered the land.
359
00:43:11,760 --> 00:43:15,360
Now, all this dad has to do
is find his family...
360
00:43:17,120 --> 00:43:18,800
..amongst a million others.
361
00:43:31,440 --> 00:43:35,360
Another secret to the penguin's
success is its feathers.
362
00:43:38,720 --> 00:43:41,960
But only if they're kept
in perfect condition.
363
00:43:50,120 --> 00:43:54,360
A yearly process of regeneration
is crucial,
364
00:43:54,360 --> 00:43:58,400
and king penguins take this
very seriously indeed.
365
00:44:05,360 --> 00:44:09,240
Months of battering by the Southern
Ocean have taken their toll
366
00:44:09,240 --> 00:44:11,320
on the king's feathers.
367
00:44:14,080 --> 00:44:18,240
And now in south Georgia,
thousands are coming ashore
368
00:44:18,240 --> 00:44:20,160
for an essential makeover.
369
00:44:23,840 --> 00:44:27,680
But first, they have to get
past this pile of blubber.
370
00:45:10,520 --> 00:45:12,560
The colony at last.
371
00:45:17,240 --> 00:45:19,800
The great transformation
can begin...
372
00:45:24,360 --> 00:45:27,600
..starting with
a really good scratch.
373
00:45:32,280 --> 00:45:36,320
Small, stiff feathers,
tightly packed over soft down,
374
00:45:36,320 --> 00:45:40,160
have given this penguin
a blanket of insulation.
375
00:45:42,360 --> 00:45:45,280
But he must now shed
all four layers,
376
00:45:45,280 --> 00:45:48,520
a process known
as the catastrophic moult.
377
00:45:55,440 --> 00:45:59,920
Shedding thousands of feathers
is a tedious process,
378
00:45:59,920 --> 00:46:03,040
but every penguin must do it
once a year.
379
00:46:10,240 --> 00:46:14,640
The longer it takes, the longer
he'll have to go without food.
380
00:46:14,640 --> 00:46:17,040
A true trial of endurance.
381
00:46:29,000 --> 00:46:31,160
But after a long month...
382
00:46:33,360 --> 00:46:35,760
..he is the image of perfection.
383
00:46:38,000 --> 00:46:41,920
Like a new winter coat,
his feathers are restored.
384
00:46:49,440 --> 00:46:52,880
And he doesn't waste any time
testing it out.
385
00:47:02,360 --> 00:47:05,480
A long-awaited meal is in store.
386
00:47:22,560 --> 00:47:27,640
Over millions of years, penguins
have evolved to master life on land
387
00:47:27,640 --> 00:47:31,920
and at sea, to become superb parents
388
00:47:31,920 --> 00:47:34,280
and to conquer forests,
389
00:47:34,280 --> 00:47:38,080
deserts and even cities.
390
00:47:41,480 --> 00:47:46,760
But we humans are changing the
planet faster than ever before
391
00:47:46,760 --> 00:47:49,920
and some penguins
are struggling to keep up.
392
00:47:54,040 --> 00:47:57,040
The smallest penguin in the world -
393
00:47:57,040 --> 00:47:59,560
the aptly named little penguin -
394
00:47:59,560 --> 00:48:02,200
has lived on Australia's beaches
395
00:48:02,200 --> 00:48:04,400
for 2.4 million years.
396
00:48:06,040 --> 00:48:11,120
But due to the introduction of cats
and foxes in the last 200 years,
397
00:48:11,120 --> 00:48:13,520
they're now at risk of extinction.
398
00:48:18,040 --> 00:48:20,080
On New Zealand's South Island,
399
00:48:20,080 --> 00:48:23,520
yellow-eyed penguins
used to be hunted for food.
400
00:48:26,160 --> 00:48:30,040
More recently, habitat loss
and alien predators
401
00:48:30,040 --> 00:48:36,080
have decimated their numbers,
leaving just 2,000 pairs.
402
00:48:41,320 --> 00:48:43,440
On the east coast of Patagonia
403
00:48:43,440 --> 00:48:48,320
lives another colony of penguins
in serious decline.
404
00:48:58,240 --> 00:49:02,880
The Magellanic penguin makes its
home in the scorching desert.
405
00:49:13,280 --> 00:49:19,120
Every few years, this colony
suffers a dramatic loss of chicks.
406
00:49:19,120 --> 00:49:24,360
As many as 60% will die
in one season and no-one knows why.
407
00:49:29,960 --> 00:49:33,520
Now a group of scientists
from Swansea University
408
00:49:33,520 --> 00:49:36,400
are on a mission to find out.
409
00:49:40,320 --> 00:49:44,560
They believe the problem may lie
in what they're eating out at sea.
410
00:49:46,600 --> 00:49:50,160
But how do you keep up with
fast-swimming, deep-diving penguins
411
00:49:50,160 --> 00:49:51,480
out there?
412
00:49:55,520 --> 00:49:57,880
The answer is cameras.
413
00:50:06,280 --> 00:50:08,400
Streamlined and super light,
414
00:50:08,400 --> 00:50:11,560
they're carefully attached,
and in a matter of minutes,
415
00:50:11,560 --> 00:50:14,240
the parents are returned
to their chicks,
416
00:50:14,240 --> 00:50:17,280
entirely unfazed
by their mini backpacks.
417
00:50:27,960 --> 00:50:31,360
Penguins spend the majority
of their time at sea,
418
00:50:31,360 --> 00:50:34,520
but it's the part of their lives
we know the least about.
419
00:50:38,200 --> 00:50:41,320
So this technology
is ground-breaking.
420
00:50:55,120 --> 00:50:57,000
New research has revealed
421
00:50:57,000 --> 00:50:59,720
that penguins have
a powerful sense of smell,
422
00:50:59,720 --> 00:51:01,960
and it's thought
that this is the main way
423
00:51:01,960 --> 00:51:04,360
in which they track down their prey.
424
00:51:11,880 --> 00:51:16,640
The cameras show the Magellanics
travelling as far as 200 miles
425
00:51:16,640 --> 00:51:20,640
and diving up to 400 times
on each fishing trip.
426
00:51:25,480 --> 00:51:28,000
Each dive uses up energy -
427
00:51:28,000 --> 00:51:31,200
energy they need to make it back
to their hungry chicks.
428
00:51:33,240 --> 00:51:36,960
Which is why what happens next
is so unexpected.
429
00:51:43,440 --> 00:51:46,640
This penguin comes across
perfectly good prey...
430
00:51:48,280 --> 00:51:50,280
..but chooses to ignore it.
431
00:51:53,560 --> 00:51:55,280
Time and time again,
432
00:51:55,280 --> 00:51:56,920
it swims past shrimp,
433
00:51:56,920 --> 00:52:00,240
squid and lobster krill -
434
00:52:00,240 --> 00:52:02,480
all viable penguin food.
435
00:52:06,680 --> 00:52:09,920
It seems to be searching
for something else.
436
00:52:14,560 --> 00:52:16,280
Anchovies.
437
00:52:16,280 --> 00:52:19,920
Rich in oil. A penguin superfood.
438
00:52:37,040 --> 00:52:41,400
They are the most nutritious prey
Magellanics can feed their chicks
439
00:52:41,400 --> 00:52:45,560
and this footage proves that the
penguins actively seek them out.
440
00:52:51,440 --> 00:52:55,640
But anchovies are heavily fished
for human consumption.
441
00:53:02,000 --> 00:53:06,280
And now scientists believe that
overfishing is the main cause
442
00:53:06,280 --> 00:53:08,520
of chick mortality.
443
00:53:12,360 --> 00:53:15,320
Without access
to the most nutritious food,
444
00:53:15,320 --> 00:53:18,040
the chicks are just not surviving.
445
00:53:21,920 --> 00:53:24,320
With this vital information,
446
00:53:24,320 --> 00:53:28,000
scientists can now influence
policymakers
447
00:53:28,000 --> 00:53:30,320
to set sustainable fishing quotas
448
00:53:30,320 --> 00:53:33,600
and help to secure
the Magellanics' future.
449
00:53:39,520 --> 00:53:41,600
Of all the penguin species,
450
00:53:41,600 --> 00:53:45,560
the least known
is the erect-crested penguin.
451
00:53:45,560 --> 00:53:48,320
It lives so remotely
in the South Pacific
452
00:53:48,320 --> 00:53:53,200
that few people have ever seen it,
let alone studied it.
453
00:53:55,240 --> 00:53:57,720
So if the species is in decline,
454
00:53:57,720 --> 00:54:01,720
we might not know
until it's too late.
455
00:54:01,720 --> 00:54:04,960
And the 18th and final penguin
in the family
456
00:54:04,960 --> 00:54:09,400
could disappear before anyone
has had a chance to save it.
457
00:54:12,280 --> 00:54:16,320
Even the iconic
emperor penguin is in trouble.
458
00:54:16,320 --> 00:54:20,800
Up to 20% of them could disappear
in the next century
459
00:54:20,800 --> 00:54:23,800
as a result of receding sea ice.
460
00:54:25,520 --> 00:54:27,880
But it's not all bad news.
461
00:54:27,880 --> 00:54:31,000
Technology is giving us
new insights.
462
00:54:32,200 --> 00:54:35,200
The very fact
that emperors live so remotely
463
00:54:35,200 --> 00:54:39,440
has, historically, made them
incredibly hard to monitor.
464
00:54:41,720 --> 00:54:43,360
Until now.
465
00:54:46,000 --> 00:54:48,240
Over 400 miles above us,
466
00:54:48,240 --> 00:54:51,800
satellites continually capture
images of the Earth.
467
00:55:00,600 --> 00:55:03,040
Images so detailed
468
00:55:03,040 --> 00:55:06,600
that scientists are making
some startling discoveries.
469
00:55:11,200 --> 00:55:16,040
From space, Antarctica
is a great expanse of white.
470
00:55:20,120 --> 00:55:25,200
Except for these strange brown
patches dotted across the ice.
471
00:55:28,880 --> 00:55:30,400
Brown patches...
472
00:55:32,720 --> 00:55:34,720
..of penguin droppings.
473
00:55:38,400 --> 00:55:41,840
Emperor colonies
10,000-birds strong
474
00:55:41,840 --> 00:55:44,320
leave a mess behind them.
475
00:55:50,200 --> 00:55:52,640
As the ground beneath them
gets dirtier,
476
00:55:52,640 --> 00:55:56,280
they migrate across the ice
to fresh, clean snow.
477
00:56:00,760 --> 00:56:04,000
And as they do,
they leave a trail behind them.
478
00:56:09,280 --> 00:56:13,360
From space, a penguin colony
would be difficult to spot.
479
00:56:17,000 --> 00:56:20,840
But the marks they leave behind
stand out.
480
00:56:23,080 --> 00:56:26,560
So, without even stepping foot
on Antarctica,
481
00:56:26,560 --> 00:56:31,840
scientists are discovering new
populations of emperor penguins.
482
00:56:31,840 --> 00:56:35,480
And they can even determine
the size of the colony
483
00:56:35,480 --> 00:56:38,000
from the dimensions
of these trails.
484
00:56:41,400 --> 00:56:45,920
37 new colonies
have been found in this way,
485
00:56:45,920 --> 00:56:50,520
more than doubling the known
global population of the species.
486
00:56:52,320 --> 00:56:56,120
With each new colony discovered,
there is hope.
487
00:57:02,360 --> 00:57:05,760
From the forests of their ancestral
home in New Zealand
488
00:57:05,760 --> 00:57:08,160
to the equator and back...
489
00:57:11,200 --> 00:57:16,280
..the penguin family's story
is one of resilience and adaptation.
490
00:57:20,440 --> 00:57:21,920
It's easy to see
491
00:57:21,920 --> 00:57:25,760
why they're one of the most beloved
animal families on Earth.
38909
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