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Meanwhile, in Milford Sound, the coastal Fiordland crested penguins experience harsh environmental conditions as El Niño patterns alter their fishing grounds. This climatic unpredictability can disrupt the delicate balance of penguin parenting, placing immense pressure on both male and female penguins as they strive to care for their young.
The Cycle of Life Continues
As the seasons change, penguin chicks emerge from their nests, fighting for survival against predatory threats such as skuas and competing for limited food resources. For each penguin couple, nurturing their young to independence demands extraordinary effort. However, the odds are stacked against many.