- Coastal development, human encroachment, and deforestation destroy penguins' breeding and feeding grounds.
- Climate change alters sea ice conditions and reduces food availability.
2. Overfishing:
- Penguins rely on fish for sustenance, but overfishing by humans depletes their food sources.
3. Climate Change:
- Rising sea levels and shifting climate patterns disrupt penguins' breeding cycles, breeding grounds, and access to food.
4. Pollution and Plastic Waste:
- Pollution from oil spills, plastic waste, and chemicals harms penguins and their habitats. Penguins can ingest or become entangled in plastic, causing injury and death.
5. Natural Predators:
- Some penguin species face predation from animals such as seals, killer whales, and even other seabirds.
6. Hunting and Egg Collection:
- Historically, penguins were hunted for their meat, feathers, and oil, leading to population declines. While commercial hunting is now mostly banned, illegal hunting and egg collection still occur in some areas.