‘They gave her a peck’: curious penguins ‘attacked’ a Ukrainian polar explorer in Antarctica

Kira Aronova
Kira Aronova Journalist
‘They gave her a peck’: curious penguins ‘attacked’ a Ukrainian polar explorer in Antarctica
Screenshot from a video, source: NANC
In Antarctica, the rules only go one way: humans aren’t allowed to approach the animals, but the penguins can do whatever they like. The young ‘fluffy explorers’ at the Akademik Vernadsky station decided to meet biologist Zoya Shvidka in person and even put her suit through its paces

The video was posted on the National Antarctic Scientific Centre’s Facebook page

A pair of young penguins, currently in their moulting season, spotted the researcher from a distance of a few metres. The birds didn’t just come closer; they began actively pecking at the polar researcher’s bright orange jumpsuit and even flapping their wings at her.

“As my work involves observing penguins, they have often come over to have a look at me. But this was the first time they’ve tried to peck me and flapped their wings at me,” said Zoya Shvidka.

The biologist suggests that the chicks displayed such boldness due to excessive curiosity and the attractive colour of her clothing. The National Antarctic Scientific Centre reminded us that Antarctica is a nature reserve where animals are the masters, so they often approach researchers themselves to explore the world around them

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