Significant Return of Penguins to Ukraine’s Vernadsky Station After Months of Migration
A remarkable natural phenomenon has taken place at Ukraine’s Vernadsky Antarctic Station — the return of a large colony of penguins.
According to the National Antarctic Scientific Center, nearly 7,000 birds are currently on Haldane Island in October, representing the largest congregation in the past year.
The observed stable presence of penguins following months of fluctuation indicates their population is rebounding and natural processes in the region are restoring.
Biologists from the expedition note that the first major groups began arriving as early as August, but due to freezing waters, part of the colony temporarily left the island.
Over time, their numbers increased significantly, reaching about seven thousand in October.
This level is of great interest to researchers, as it relates to the preservation and revival of wildlife in the harsh conditions of Antarctica.
Observations show that approximately 4,000 penguins have settled at the far end of Haldane Island, while others are along the shoreline from Penguin Point to the station building.
Haldane Island covers an area of about one square kilometer, resulting in a density of about seven thousand birds per square kilometer.
In addition to this influx, scientists record the onset of the breeding season, during which penguins form pairs, build nests, and compete for the best locations.
Many nests are still covered with snow, and the birds amusingly peck the snow around them in search of stones to construct their nests.
Researchers have also observed that large penguin colonies impact the local climate; their guano releases significant amounts of ammonia, forming gas clouds that can trap heat and potentially influence regional climate patterns, which might have broader implications for global warming.
This discovery underscores the importance of conserving these natural colonies in the fragile Antarctic ecosystem.