Wildlife

Wild Macaroni Penguin Welfare and Krill

Macaroni penguins are one of the most numerous penguins but face serious threats from krill decline.

Key Facts

Macaroni penguins are the most numerous penguin species at around 18 million pairs
Their populations have declined by 30% since the 1970s
They depend almost entirely on krill during the breeding season
Climate change and commercial krill fishing both reduce krill availability

Welfare Considerations

Macaroni penguins that cannot find sufficient krill return to colonies unable to feed chicks adequately. Chick starvation is prolonged and distressing — hungry chicks calling for food that parents cannot provide represents individual suffering at scale across millions of breeding pairs. Commercial krill fishing in the Southern Ocean competes directly with penguins for the same food resource.

What You Can Do

Question the sustainability of krill oil products derived from Antarctic waters
Support Southern Ocean marine protected areas
Donate to penguin research and conservation organisations
Advocate for precautionary krill fishing limits that prioritise wildlife needs