Due to climate change, Emperor Penguins in Antarctica may lack enough ice to replace their feathers. As a result, they are unable to withstand the extreme cold of the ocean. Thousands of penguins may have already died as a result.

Scientists have conducted extensive research into the molting period of emperor penguins in West Antarctica. During the summer, the animals swim thousands of kilometers to find stable sea ice where they can shed their feathers and then grow a new, waterproof coat.

This molting period occurs annually and lasts about thirty to forty days. The penguins lose up to 50 percent of their body weight during this period.

This is potentially the most dangerous period for adult emperor penguins, as they are unable to withstand the extremely low ocean temperatures.

In the summers of 2019, 2020, and 2021, the sea ice was relatively stable, giving the penguins enough space to complete their molting period. However, between 2022 and 2024, Antarctic sea ice declined sharply, reaching a historic low in 2023.

This made it more difficult for the penguins to find suitable places to molt.

Scientists fear that thousands of penguins have frozen to death due to the cold. Satellite images showed that there were far fewer emperor penguins in West Antarctica than expected in 2025.

Some penguins may have migrated to East Antarctica to molt, but this means their breeding pattern has been disrupted and fewer new penguins are being born.

The research results were published in the scientific journal Communications Earth & Environment. Scientists point out that this research demonstrates that the catastrophic consequences of global warming sometimes occur subtly and unnoticed.

Follow-up research should determine the impact of these consequences on the emperor penguin population.