Several million penguins live in the area along with several species of albatross, elephant seals and fur seals, all of which are now in danger as the iceberg has run aground and could break up
After the world’s biggest iceberg ran aground on a rocky shelf at an overseas British territory, wildlife in the area could face disastrous consequences.
Iceberg A23a ran aground on the British overseas territory of South Georgia after nearly 40 years at sea. The ‘megaberg’ covers an incredible 1,200 square miles, making it bigger than London, roughly the size of Gloucestershire, and now it has run aground sparking chaos for resident penguins on the island.
The berg is expected to break up into smaller pieces and could cut off the penguins and other sea-life from accessing vital feeding areas. It had barely moved for 20 years, then in 2020 began drifting slowly north. It spent six months last year spinning in a revolving current before breaking free in the New Year. At the end of February it was moving “very fast” toward South Georgia, according to Dr Andrew Meijers, an oceanographer at the British Antarctive Survey in Cambridge.
Several million penguins live in the area along with several species of albatross, elephant seals and fur seals, all of which are now in danger as their delicate ecosystem is invaded. Fishermen fear they will be forced to battle with vast chunks of ice, and it could affect some macaroni penguins feeding in the area.
Peter Fretwell, a geospatial information scientist also at the British Antarctic Survey, told Sky News: “This area is extremely important for penguins.” He fears the iceberg is blocking a vast area of ocean that is an important feeding ground one of the world’s largest colonies of macaroni penguins.
Ecologist Mark Belchier who advises the South Georgia government told the BBC: “If [the iceberg] breaks up, the resulting icebergs are likely to present a hazard to vessels as they move in the local currents and could restrict vessels’ access to local fishing grounds.”
In 2004 an iceberg in a different area called the Ross Sea affected the breeding success of penguins, leading to a spike in deaths.
