About Online Penguin Adoption

As global warming intensifies, ice shelves continue to melt at a neck-breaking pace, obliterating the habitat and food supply of penguins throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Some populations have decreased by as much as 80 percent. With online penguin adoption, one can donate to the research and outreach efforts under way to help save the species. In return, the donor receives information about the penguin, including pictures and updates.

History

There are about 17 species of penguins, which were believed to have evolved from birds millions of years ago. They are typically dark along the back and white along the underside. Penguins live about three-fourths of their lives in water and range in size from two pounds to 90 pounds and live about 15 to 20 years.

Types

Penguin adoptions are symbolic in nature and cost from $16 to $60, and even more depending on the kind of package one orders. A $190 package from the Houston Zoo includes an adoption certificate, penguin information, special event access, merchandise and a brick paver. Aside from zoos, research institutions and nonprofit agencies also offer the online penguin adoption. Such programs are offered all over the world.

Significance

The global ice shelf is melting at a rate of three weeks faster than normal, online penguin adoption organizers say, thus threatening the species' habitat. In addition, krill, the tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans that are the staple of the penguin diet, are also decreasing in population. Penguins also are threatened by oil spills and commercial fishing. In Africa, guano and egg collection have claimed pockets of the penguin population. Human development threatens the habitat of penguins in New Zealand.

Geography

Penguins live on every continent in the Southern Hemisphere, most notably Africa, New Zealand, South America, Antarctica, Australia and the Galapagos Islands. The most endangered penguin species is the Galapagos penguin from the Galapagos Islands. The most numerous emperor penguin lives in Antarctica, however even this species is headed towards endangerment, according to online penguin adoption experts.

Time Frame

Even before online penguin adoptions, dating as far back as the 1940s, conservation efforts have existed to help the penguins. Penguin populations dropped dramatically in the 1970s because of oil spills, and it's been downhill ever since. While the Galapagos penguins are the only species listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, several species were placed on petition to be added. The Center on Biological Diversity, which cites global warming as the primary reason to add these penguins to the list, is fighting in court with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the issue.

Resources

• Wildlife Adoption Center
• Sea World