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Penguins Meet The Family 2020
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00:19The Emperor Penguin is the biggest, and the most iconic, of a remarkable family.
00:28One family, 18 different faces making use of extraordinary adaptations and innovative abilities.
00:49They've conquered some of the most extreme places on Earth.
00:58And for the first time, you and I are going to meet every member of this incredible penguin family.
01:28The Forests of New Zealand. Not the first place you'd expect to see a penguin.
01:45But here, amongst the trees, lives the Snares Penguin.
02:01They almost seem out of place. But in fact, it was here that penguins first evolved, over 60 million years
02:10ago.
02:15And there are now more species of penguins in New Zealand than any other country on Earth.
02:2460,000 penguins have made this forest their home.
02:32It's a maze of twists and turns.
02:56But this well-trodden path leads them to a secret hideaway.
03:10This is just one of the many forest clearings where the penguins come to nest.
03:19With no native land predators, New Zealand has always offered these flightless seabirds a sanctuary.
03:27A safe haven for rearing their young.
03:41But there is one big disadvantage to forest living.
03:47Mud.
03:50Thousands of tiny webbed feet turn the damp ground into a veritable quagmire.
04:00This doesn't just result in a grubby appearance. It could threaten their lives.
04:09A penguin's feathers are crucial for waterproofing and insulation out at sea.
04:16If they're clogged with mud, penguins can't regulate their body temperature and could die from the cold.
04:26But the snares have found a solution.
04:36It's time for a trip to the penguin baths.
04:49After a thorough rinse, the penguins spread a very special wax through their feathers.
05:00Produced in a gland at the base of the tail, it creates a waterproof barrier that insulates and streamlines.
05:11The wax is also antimicrobial, deterring unwanted germs.
05:19For some penguins, this process can take up to three hours a day.
05:32But it's a price worth paying for their forest sanctuary.
05:50Penguins can be found in unexpected places.
05:54And perhaps nowhere is more surprising than this one.
06:01Here, penguins have found a way to survive the usual sweltering heat of the equator.
06:14One of the smallest members of the family, standing at just 19 inches, is the Galapagos penguin.
06:27These remote volcanic islands may seem harsh and unforgiving.
06:33But the inlets and coves offer a haven, and not just for penguins.
06:45With few land predators, the rocky shores provide ample nesting sites and shelter from the sun.
06:59Lava tubes crisscross the islands.
07:04It's the perfect place to escape the midday heat and raise young.
07:15There are other advantages too.
07:20Even though these islands are located on the equator, the water is much colder than you'd expect.
07:31And it's all because of the humbled current.
07:43Traveling over 8,000 kilometers all the way from Antarctica, it delivers cold penguin friendly water to these volcanic islands.
07:57As well as food in abundance.
08:05It's thought that the humbled current carried the penguins here around 4 million years ago.
08:17They certainly didn't fly here.
08:20Penguins are believed to have lost that ability 60 million years ago.
08:26Swimming is what penguins do best.
08:36Sheltered islands, cool waters and a rich stream of food allows the Galapagos penguin to live further north than any
08:46other.
08:58It might seem like an unusual home for them, but penguins are excellent at pushing boundaries.
09:08Cape Town is home to 4.6 million people.
09:19And 3,000 penguins.
09:26This is the African penguin.
09:32When they've had enough of posing for the cameras, they head for an unexpected retreat.
09:50This female has secured herself a perfect nesting spot in a residential garden.
10:03The road outside can get noisy, but she doesn't seem to mind.
10:09The traffic keeps predators at bay.
10:16She's hungry, but she must wait for her mate to return or risk losing the nest to another penguin.
10:27And he's just started his journey home.
10:36We might be more used to seeing penguins hopping up rocks.
10:42But steps can be much more convenient.
10:52It's rush hour in the city.
10:54And to get back to the nest, he joins the rest of Cape Town's commuters.
11:04Traveling with the group keeps him safer on the busy roads and pathways.
11:24The hectic traffic separates the pack.
11:36A recent study has revealed that African penguins have a complex vocal repertoire similar to that of humans.
11:45And the group can recognize individual calls.
11:51But it's hard to be heard over the noise of rush hour traffic.
11:59He needs to wait it out.
12:05His mage will have to be patient.
12:08He's going to be late again.
12:18Time to make a move.
12:19Time to make a move.
12:29He needs to keep his eyes open for distracted drivers.
12:40But he's almost home.
13:03African penguins have changed their behaviors to adapt to the modern world.
13:10This pair have chosen a backstreet garden as a suitable nesting site.
13:25And finding a safe place to raise young is a top priority for all penguins.
13:34But one species has gone to even greater lengths.
14:01These are Adelis.
14:06And this is the longest penguin migration on Earth.
14:17Adelis don't lay their eggs on ice, so these males have traveled 13,000 kilometers to reach
14:23an area of Antarctica with bare rock.
14:3099% of them return to the same nests each year.
14:36But after a harsh winter, the entire breeding ground is in need of renovation.
14:43And time is of the essence.
14:46The males have just days before their partners return.
14:54No other penguin in the family puts as much effort into building its nest.
15:25So some sneaky individuals have found a shortcut.
15:56How do you think about sieve well in this?
15:59So let's see if the ravenings are It looks like the
16:07This poor male seems unaware that his hard work is being undermined.
16:22The thief's nest, however, is coming along very nicely.
16:30He clearly knows to keep a sharp lookout for raiders.
16:47A few days later, the penguins have finished their renovations.
16:57And with the females arriving, it's just in the nick of time.
17:05These couples haven't seen each other for nine months.
17:22And whether through hard graft or thievery, the newly renovated nests seem to have impressed.
17:51Penguins are certainly imaginative nest builders.
17:55They're also devoted parents.
18:01And no penguins demonstrate this better than the rockhoppers.
18:22This male stands guard over his newly hatched and hungry chick.
18:32He has nothing left to feed him.
18:38And if mum doesn't get back soon, the chick will starve.
18:52She's been out fishing for several days and is on her way back.
18:58But there's a huge challenge ahead.
19:01The rough sea crashing on this jagged coastline is treacherous.
19:11And a huge male sea lion, 100 times her size, is on the hunt for food.
19:28In such immense waves, strong chest and back muscles help her to withstand the impact.
19:44Each step is hard won.
19:49And worse is to come.
19:59Any loss will have dire consequences for a family.
20:17Mum and the others battle on.
20:46She's almost there.
20:53Move our love.
21:16Lorenz is getting rushed to the low end.
21:25safely back on solid ground and now she does what all rock hoppers do best
21:37she hops all the way back home
21:48she makes it look easy the youngsters we'll get there eventually
22:14after an arduous climb for over a mile and out of reach of even the most tenacious sea lion
22:21she makes it home and at last her chick gets a meal
22:45over the next two months these devoted parents pull out
22:49all the stops to ensure their youngsters survival
22:54with dad starving himself to protect the chick
23:00and mum risking the waves and the sea lions
23:06again and again
23:22penguins are incredibly dedicated parents going to extraordinary lengths to protect their chicks
23:33but penguin chicks aren't always as helpless as they seem
23:40antarctica is the coldest and windiest continent on earth
23:50the largest member of the penguin family chooses to breed here regardless
24:07emperor chicks are the only offspring to be born in the antarctic winter
24:14to survive here they have to be tough
24:28special brooding pouches have provided months of shelter from the bitter winds
24:39the chicks may look vulnerable but they have special adaptations of their own to stay warm
24:49feathery ankles keep out the biting cold
24:54and the fat rich food they're fed allows them to build up a thick layer of blubber
25:02some chicks are fatter than others
25:11blubber is vital for keeping warm
25:14but thinner chicks have an incredible adaptation that helps to keep them alive
25:21scientists have discovered that the cells of the chicks who eat less actually work more efficiently
25:27helping them to conserve more heat even on the coldest days
25:34so chubby or not these remarkable chicks are built to survive here
25:48emperor and king penguins are the only birds on earth to incubate the egg on their feet
25:56but once hatched they can't stay there forever
25:59and today this chick must venture out onto the freezing ice alone
26:12with a little encouragement from dad
26:17he takes his first steps onto the snow
26:27his feet are perfectly adapted to the terrain
26:30with special fats to keep them from freezing
26:33and strong claws to grip the ice
26:38dad keeps a close eye
26:40but these first solo explorations
26:43are so important for this chick's eventual independence
27:10being able to make new friends will be crucial to a successful life in the colony
27:30but it can be dangerous to stray too far from dad
27:58so strong is the parental urge to raise a chick
28:01that these adults who have lost their chicks in the bitter storms
28:05try to kidnap others
28:11desperation can turn to violence
28:25this chick has had a lucky escape
28:43the volatile antarctic weather can change in an instant
28:54despite its cold weather adaptations
28:57this chick isn't quite ready for complete independence
29:01without its insulating adult feathers
29:04and the warmth of its parents
29:05it will perish
29:16the chick's call
29:17the chick's call is as unique as a fingerprint
29:29even from a distance
29:31through howling winds
29:33dad recognises it
30:03that's enough excitement for one day
30:15penguins are especially successful
30:18because of their ability to live in a colony
30:24creating some of the largest bird gatherings on earth
30:41over a million royal penguins gather on the pacific ocean's macquarie island
30:49having spent months out in the open ocean
30:52the cramped conditions can be challenging at first
30:58but there is safety in numbers
31:03in peru the humbled penguin teams up with other seabirds like cormorants to form huge mixed colonies
31:17and across the Antarctic region
31:1924 million macarons live in close-knit colonies
31:26the most numerous of any penguin species
31:30they gather chicks together into creches to keep them safe
31:40such dedicated parenting has enabled penguins to thrive in large numbers
31:47and their unique biology has seen them conquer the southern ocean and beyond
32:04this is the fastest penguin on the planet
32:11the gentoo
32:17here in the falkland islands
32:20lobster krill occur in swarms
32:25for the gentoo
32:28it's a favorite feast
32:34reaching speeds of 35 kilometers an hour
32:38diving as deep as 200 meters
32:40and holding their breath for up to seven minutes
32:45they've evolved to become supreme aquatic athletes
32:55bellies full
32:57bellies full
32:57they head for shore
33:07and now their skills are really put to the test
33:14a southern sea lion
33:27the penguins streamline bodies allow them to shoot out of the water
33:33a trick known as porpoising thought to confuse predators
33:42short feet
33:44short feet act like rudders
33:45catapulting them into the air
33:51and fused muscular flippers allow them to make sharp turns
34:02sea lions
34:03sea lions are extremely adept in the water
34:06sea lions are extremely adept in the water
34:06but they can't quite compete with the gentoo's agility
34:16on land
34:17on land however the penguins advantage is lost
34:37the gentoo's only chance is to get back to the sea
35:06sea lions are extremely unique
35:11you are really than a
35:36It's made it.
35:47The fjordland penguin uses its streamlined body for another purpose, to zip up the narrow
35:54streams and rivers of New Zealand, a perfect shortcut to safe nesting grounds deep in
36:01the forest.
36:09Penguins are supremely adapted to an aquatic life, spending 75% of their lives in the water.
36:17But all penguins have to walk on land at some point.
36:22And to get around, they've developed a remarkable technique.
36:36This is the chinstrap penguin.
36:39It makes its home on some of the most hostile islands of the southern ocean.
36:47Active volcanoes here warm the ground, melting the snow early in the year.
36:57Trouble is, the best spots are far from the sea.
37:03To get there means a very long walk.
37:17The tough hike is made easier by the infamous penguin waddle.
37:25This unusual style of locomotion may look inefficient, but surprisingly, it works in their favor.
37:36Like a pendulum, the side-to-side motion stores energy at the end of each movement, energy that
37:44can be used in the next step.
37:49We humans get 65% of the energy back with each step, but penguins can get up to 80%.
37:58So the waddle is more efficient than our own walk, which means they can walk further for longer.
38:13And when it comes to a cliff face covered in slippery volcanic ash,
38:22the penguin's strong feet and hooked beak pull and push it upwards.
38:32A bird built for life at sea has mastered the land.
38:42Now all this dad has to do is find his family amongst a million others.
39:02Another secret to the penguin's success is its feathers.
39:09But only if they're kept in perfect condition.
39:20A yearly process of regeneration is crucial, and king penguins take this very seriously indeed.
39:36Months of battering by the southern ocean have taken their toe on the king's feathers.
39:44And now, in south Georgia, thousands are coming ashore for an essential makeover.
39:54But first, they have to get past this pile of blubber.
39:58And they have to get past the
40:41The colony at last.
40:47The great transformation can begin.
40:55Starting with a really good scratch.
41:03Small, stiff feathers, tightly packed over soft down, have given this penguin a blanket
41:10of insulation.
41:12But he must now shed all four layers, a process known as the catastrophic molt.
41:26Shedding thousands of feathers is a tedious process.
41:30But every penguin must do it once a year.
41:41The longer it takes, the longer he'll have to go without food.
41:45A true trial of endurance.
41:59But after a long month, he is the image of perfection.
42:08Like a new winter coat, his feathers are restored.
42:20And he doesn't waste any time testing it out.
42:32A long awaited meal is in store.
43:03And he doesn't waste any time testing it out.
43:11But we humans are changing the planet faster than ever before.
43:16And some penguins are struggling to keep up.
43:25The smallest penguin in the world, the aptly named little penguin, has lived on Australia's
43:32beaches for 2.4 million years.
43:36But due to the introduction of cats and foxes in the last 200 years, they're now at risk of extinction.
43:48On New Zealand's South Island, yellow-eyed penguins used to be hunted for food.
43:57More recently, habitat loss and alien predators have decimated their numbers, leaving just 2,000 pairs.
44:10On the east coast of Patagonia lives another colony of penguins in serious decline.
44:26The Magellanic penguin makes its home in the scorching desert.
44:40Every few years, this colony suffers a dramatic loss of chicks.
44:47As many as 60% will die in one season, and no one knows why.
44:57Now, a group of scientists from Swansea University are on a mission to find out.
45:07They believe the problem may lie in what they're eating out at sea.
45:14But how do you keep up with fast-swimming, deep-diving penguins out there?
45:22The answer is cameras.
45:34Streamlined and super light, they're carefully attached, and in a matter of minutes, the parents are returned to their chicks,
45:42entirely unfazed by their mini backpacks.
45:47Streamlined and super light, they're not
45:49The most important thing is that they are not the most important.
45:53The most important thing is that they are not the most important.
45:55The most important thing is that they are not the most important thing.
45:56Penguins spend the majority of their time at sea, but it's the part of their lives we know the least
46:01about.
46:05So this technology is groundbreaking.
46:16The cameras show the Magellanics traveling up to 300 kilometers and diving up to 400 times in each fishing trip.
46:27And when the penguin finally finds food, it does something astonishing.
46:34It chooses to ignore it.
46:37Time and time again, it swims past shrimp, squid, and lobster krill, all viable penguin food.
46:50It seems to be searching for something else.
46:59Anchovies, rich in oil, a penguin superfood.
47:13They are the most nutritious prey Magellanics can feed their chicks.
47:18And this footage proves that the penguins actively seek them out.
47:28But anchovies are heavily fished for human consumption.
47:38And now, scientists believe that overfishing is the main cause of chick mortality.
47:49Without access to the most nutritious food, the chicks are just not surviving.
47:59With this vital information, scientists can now influence policy makers to set sustainable fishing quotas and help to secure the
48:09Magellanics' future.
48:16Of all the penguin species, the least known is the erect, crested penguin.
48:22It lives so remotely in the South Pacific that few people have ever seen it, let alone studied it.
48:32So if the species is in decline, we might not know until it's too late.
48:39And the 18th and final penguin in the family could disappear before anyone has had a chance to save it.
48:49Even the iconic emperor penguin is in trouble.
48:53Up to 20% of them could disappear in the next century as a result of receding sea ice.
49:02But it's not all bad news. Technology is giving us new insights.
49:09The very fact that emperors live so remotely has historically made them incredibly hard to monitor.
49:19Until now.
49:23Over 600 kilometers above us, satellites continually capture images of Earth.
49:34Images so detailed that scientists are making some startling discoveries.
49:42From space, Antarctica is a great expanse of white.
49:49Except for these strange brown patches dotted across the ice.
49:58brown patches of penguin droppings.
50:07Emperor colonies, 10,000 birds strong, leave a mess behind them.
50:19As the ground beneath them gets dirtier,
50:22where they migrate across the ice to fresh, clean snow.
50:29And as they do, they leave a trail behind them.
50:38From space, a penguin colony would be difficult to spot.
50:46But the marks they leave behind stand out.
50:52So without even stepping foot on Antarctica, scientists are discovering new populations of emperor penguins.
51:00And they can even determine the size of the colony from the dimensions of these trails.
51:1037 new colonies have been found in this way.
51:15More than doubling the known global population of the species.
51:21With each new colony discovered, there is hope.
51:31From the forests of their ancestral home in New Zealand, to the equator, and back.
51:39The penguin family's story is one of resilience and adaptation.
51:49It's easy to see why they're one of the most beloved animal families on Earth.
51:57Here's the sense of the result in the Mars.
51:58The Musketeerah.
52:00Here is the discoverer series.
52:01The neck of the rocks.
52:01The North.
52:11The United States.
52:15The South.
52:17The North.
52:23The New Zealand.
52:25You
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