Scientists alarmed by sharp drop in Emperor penguin numbers

Emperor penguins, the largest of their kind, are facing a growing threat as shrinking sea ice puts their future at risk. The birds rely on stable ice for up to eight months to raise their chicks, but as the Southern Ocean warms, that vital platform is melting too quickly. Scientists are alarmed by satellite data, which shows a sharp decline in colony numbers, with some areas disappearing twice as fast as predicted just seven years ago. Storms, changing weather and predators like orca whales are also contributing to their decline. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn