How the Penguins Saved Veronica

How the Penguins Saved Veronica makes many references to global warming and its ecological impact on the world’s penguin population. The activities that penguin researchers in the novel perform are similar to other studies being conducted in multiple places to understand the species and provide for its future.

Penguins only live in the southern hemisphere. The largest species tend to prefer the coldest climate, while some smaller species inhabit the tropics as well. Although most can be found in Antarctica, penguins also live in Australia, New Zealand, the southern tip of Africa, and coastal South America. Because penguins have no natural land predators, they are unafraid of humans. Chicks are vulnerable to bird attacks by skuas and gulls, as the novel describes. Adult penguins fear only leopard seals, killer whales, and sharks. The sociability of the species is noteworthy since most prefer to gather in large colonies. This feature of penguin behavior is particularly relevant to the novel’s emphasis on the importance of community, whether animal or human.

The Emperor Penguin is the tallest species at over three feet in height. In contrast, the Little Blue Penguin is the smallest at 13 inches tall. The novel focuses primarily on the Adélie species, which falls midway between these two extremes at 28 inches in height. It is also the most widespread of the penguin family, and its distribution is the furthest south. The Adélie can only be found in Antarctica. In 2020, the Adélie demonstrated a robust population of 10 million adult birds and was rated as a species of least concern to wildlife experts. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of other members of the family.

There are approximately 20 different species of penguins still alive today, and their numbers are declining. While some species, and the Adélie in particular, are not in great danger of extinction, at least five have made the endangered list. The King Penguin is considered an indicator species for climate change. Scientists have been monitoring the feeding grounds for this species as their numbers dwindle. It appears that the fish for which they forage are moving further south because of warming ocean temperatures. Consequently, the King Penguin must adjust its range as well. Some behavioral adaptation is possible, such as migrating to more favorable locations. However, longer migratory treks may result in more physical stress and less successful reproduction rates. Scientists conclude that the ocean’s declining ability to produce the necessary volume of prey fish will ultimately limit the King Penguin population.

The novel mentions that half the world’s species, including penguins, may become extinct within the next 100 years. It offers some suggestions for better ecological habits among humans that might help offset the challenges that other species face because of our impact on the environment. Loss of habitat seems to be the most critical factor, along with dwindling food sources or difficulty accessing the supply that remains. As the novel points out, and as science also tells us, we must find a way to act collectively for the good of the environment and all its species. Otherwise, penguins won’t be the only group to go extinct.