How to Estimate Population Size of the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes Fosteri) Damian Lodewyk Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Department, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X7, Bellville, South Africa

Biology The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes Fosteri) Belongs to the Genus Aptenodytes. With an Average Height of 1.3m and an Average Weight of 45 Kg It’s the Largest Penguin Species. According to marinebio.Org (2008) the Species Has a Tuxedo Style Plumage With Dark to Gray to Blue-tinged Feathers on the Dorsal Side and a Black Tail, Wings, Head, Chin and Throat. The Belly and Chest of the Species Are Pale Yellow to White. Near the Ears on Each Side of the Head There Is an Orange-yellow Band That Fades Towards the Neck and Chest. The Female Lays a Single Egg, Which the Male Incubates. Incubation Last Days, During Which the Male Fasts and the Female Is at Sea to Forage (MarineBio.Org). Female Only Returns After the Chick Has Hatched.Biology The Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes Fosteri) Belongs to the Genus Aptenodytes. With an Average Height of 1.3m and an Average Weight of 45 Kg It’s the Largest Penguin Species. According to marinebio.Org (2008) the Species Has a Tuxedo Style Plumage With Dark to Gray to Blue-tinged Feathers on the Dorsal Side and a Black Tail, Wings, Head, Chin and Throat. The Belly and Chest of the Species Are Pale Yellow to White. Near the Ears on Each Side of the Head There Is an Orange-yellow Band That Fades Towards the Neck and Chest. The Female Lays a Single Egg, Which the Male Incubates. Incubation Last Days, During Which the Male Fasts and the Female Is at Sea to Forage (MarineBio.Org). Female Only Returns After the Chick Has Hatched.

Ecology They are very social species that forage and nest in groups, and it is estimated that there are about forty colonies throughout the Antarctic on ice patches near the sea (MarineBio.org). The diet of the Emperor is chiefly krill fish and squid (Dr N. Triche2005). Distribution According to Dr N. Triche (2005) emperor penguins live solely in the Antarctic. Found in Antarctica between 66 o S to 78 o S latitude (marinebio.org). During the breeding season the female is at sea and males are inland incubating the eggs. Comments on habitat According to MarineBio.org the penguins live in the harshest, coldest place on earth. During the breeding season the temperature can average –62 o C and the winds gust up to 192kph.

Methods to Determine Population Size Aerial Photographic Survey A Census Is a Way to Determine the Total Number of Animals in a Given Area (Paine D.P. 1981). According to Paine D.P. There Are Various Methods of Taking a Census, and Each Has Its Pros and Cons. To Determine the Population Size of Penguins, Vertical Aerial Photography Is Most Frequently the Best Method of Making Accurate Counts. Because Wildlife Is Mobile Its Sometimes Difficult to Keep From Counting the Same Individual More That Once of Not at All. This Method Allows the Person Taking the Census to Capture the Image in a Short Period of Time Thus Removing or Reducing the Risk of Movement. It Also Provides a Permanent Record. The Image Captured Gives the Census Taker Much Time As Required to Make Accurate Counts. The Recommended Scale for censusing of the Emperor Penguin Would Be 1:5 000

References Dr. Nina Triche, 2005, Citation [Internet] "Aptenodytes fosteri" (On-line), Digital Morphology. Accessed April 7, 2008 at MarineBio Contributors. Citation [Internet] Aptenodytes fosteri, Emperor penguins- MarineBio.org Retrieved Feb 19, From Paine D.P.(1981), Aerial photography and image interpretation for resource management, John Wiley and Sons Inc, USA, ISBN , Pp571 Pictures from