About it writes espreso.tv

"Warming and reduction of sea ice area in Antarctica leads to migration of animals that take over new, previously uninhabited by certain species territories," the scientists noted.

It is noted that until 2007, sub-Antarctic penguins did not nest near Vernadsky at all. It was cold for them there, because of the ice they could not hunt effectively. However, after the warming began, penguins began to inhabit these areas as well.

"Already in 2020, the number of subantarctic penguins on the island amounted to 3.5 thousand, and in 2024 doubled and crossed the mark of 7 thousand. Taking into account that now Ukrainian expeditions have 14 participants, it turns out 500 penguins per polar explorer," - said the scientists.

In general, this season Ukrainian biologists counted near "Vernadsky":

• 9 colonies of warm-loving subantarctic penguins with a total of 35 thousand.
• 3 colonies of cold-loving Adélie penguins with a total of up to 5,000
• just over 50 individuals of Antarctic penguins, which love the transit zone between the Subantarctic and Antarctica.

Scientists say this is a clear sign of climate change in Antarctica. The presence of penguins there will contribute to the spread of Antarctic vegetation and the appearance of predators such as sea leopards and skuas (skua).

• Earlier, Ukrainian scientists discovered a new plant species near the Vernadsky Research Base, which also indicates warming.