Genetic conservation of South African penguins

The earth is heating up, causing climate change. That means the habitat of many species on Earth is seriously threatened, even near extinct - one of which is the South African penguin species.

Genetic conservation of South African penguins

In this situation, American scientists have the idea of ​​preserving this bird gene to avoid the risk of extinction . This idea is quite novel and it is highly practical, in the context of climate change phenomenon has now become a permanent risk for people and creatures on the planet.

White bears in the Arctic and penguins in the Antarctic regions are nowhere to live, their numbers are decreasing due to melting ice, pollution of oil spills and hunting. In 2010, this penguin species was listed as the 10 most endangered species. Over the past decade, the number of South African penguin birds has decreased from more than 1 million to less than 80,000 and this trend continues. Experts predict that in just a few decades, there will be no South African penguins on earth.

Biologist Brooke Weinstein - California Institute of Science, San Francisco, said: " In 2010, the conservation status of South African penguins has been raised to the level of threat. This means unless there is a change. positive, otherwise in the not too distant future this bird will no longer exist in the wild environment, we are currently participating in a plan called 'Save the species'. a lot of zoos in North America to ensure that they are preserving the gene by maintaining a large number of these birds in captivity . '

Called a " donkey " penguin because of a cry like a donkey, or a " stupid " penguin due to their strange slowness, South African penguins are in a genetic conservation project with hybrids. Hopefully one day, commercial fishing, global warming will be reversed and this bird will have a chance to survive in the wild environment.

Biologist Brooke Weinstein adds: " Because these birds are born in captivity, we know exactly the relationship between them. So we will make recommendations together. , any bird should be bred together every year, so that the number of genes to be preserved and not overlapped, nor to lose their valuable genetic resources. the more diverse the prospect of this bird is, the better '.

According to scientists, the problem now is that the species are threatened with extinction because of the natural environment that has been threatened, so there is only a way to keep and preserve the gene to help them maintain the race.

Scientists are racing against time in the fight to protect penguins and other creatures. But gene conservation is only half the battle. More importantly, it quickly solved the problem of global warming and excessive hunting.