Over the months of January and February 2020, I was very fortunate to travel to Antarctica on assignment with Greenpeace. Our expedition facilitated the work of six researchers from Stonybrook University (New York) and Northeastern University (Boston) who have been assessing the state of penguin populations in the region.
Their research data shows that the chinstrap penguins have declined by a staggering 50-60 percent over the past fifty years. This is bad news for the penguins but also does not bode well for Antarctic wildlife in general since penguins are considered an important indicator for the health of this ecosystem. News of the findings has lead to widespread coverage in media around the world.
Out of the footage shot during the expedition, I made the short documentary "Disappearing Penguins", narrated by Hollywood actress Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein in Fantastic Beasts). The film has been shown on various international film festival and won the award for Best Children's Film at the Wild & Scenic film festival in Nevada, California.
Slideshow with production stills
More footage from the expedition in:
Ocean Witness - Episode 5: The Antarctic (penguins from 19min20sec)