World Penguin Day originated from the observation of Adélie penguins' seasonal migration at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Now celebrated on April 25th, it has become an international day of awareness worldwide, promoting understanding of penguin ecology, the crisis of their extinction, and the importance of environmental conservation, not just for Adélie penguins but for all penguin species.
What kind of animal?
They are seabirds. Their body color is black on the back and white on the belly. Their legs appear short, and they walk upright. They are excellent swimmers and eat fish, squid, and plankton. The smallest is the little penguin (fairy penguin) at about 40 cm, and the largest is the emperor penguin at 100-130 cm.
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1.<Background of Establishment>
The origin of World Penguin Day is said to trace back to an event at McMurdo Station, an American research base located on Ross Island in Antarctica. Scientists conducting research at this base had been observing that around April 25th each year, Adélie penguins would appear near the base and then return to the sea after their breeding season.
This behavior of the Adélie penguins is considered to have sparked interest in penguins as a species, leading to the establishment of "World Penguin Day."
2.<Natural Spread>
It is not clearly known when or by whom World Penguin Day was specifically established. However, starting from the observation of Adélie penguin ecology at McMurdo Station, over time, this day has evolved into an opportunity to focus not only on a specific species but on all penguin species.
Currently, awareness activities regarding penguin ecology and conservation are conducted worldwide. It is widely recognized as a day to protect endangered species and raise awareness about the issues surrounding their habitats.
3.<Important Aims and Significance>
The most important aim of World Penguin Day is to widely inform people about the current situation where many penguin species are facing extinction crises due to human activities such as climate change, marine pollution, and overfishing, as well as their ecology and habitats.
Currently, several of the 18 confirmed penguin species are designated as endangered, making this day a valuable opportunity to advocate for the necessity of concrete actions to protect them. On this day, zoos, aquariums, research institutions, and environmental protection organizations around the world collaborate to raise awareness about the conservation of penguins and their habitats through various events and educational programs.