A baby emperor penguin’s courage in the face of adversity was captured in unprecedented footage by award-winning British cinematographer Bertie Gregory for National Geographic. The footage shows hundreds of penguin chicks taking a deep dive off a 50-foot Antarctic cliff in January. The chicks were seen hesitantly but knowingly jumping off the cliff, surprising Gregory with their ability to not only survive but happily swim off into the Southern Ocean. This behavior, never before filmed, showcases the remarkable bravery and determination of these young penguins.
Emperor penguin chicks are known to march towards the ocean at a young age, even when they are just 6 months old. While some chicks typically jump just 2 feet off the ice to take their first swim, others have been observed jumping from much higher altitudes off sheer ice cliffs. Satellites have recorded these death-defying jumps for years, but the outcome of these leaps had remained a mystery until Gregory captured this footage. The colony of chicks were seen making their way along the edge of the ice cliff, moving together towards the edge before taking the plunge, much to Gregory’s surprise.
In the footage, one lone chick reaches the edge of the cliff and makes a big, brave leap into the icy water, successfully swimming away. This courageous act seems to inspire the other chicks to follow suit, with a number of them launching themselves into the water every couple of seconds. The chicks, who have grown up together and stick together, seem to draw confidence from the first brave jumpers, encouraging others to take the plunge as well. This behavior, captured by Gregory, highlights the close bond and collective bravery of the young penguins.
The National Geographic clip showcasing the baby emperor penguins’ brave leap off the Antarctic ice cliff is just a preview of a larger documentary series set to premiere on Earth Day in 2025. The docuseries, titled SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS, will further explore the fascinating behavior and lives of these incredible animals. Stay tuned for more information on this upcoming documentary that will delve deeper into the world of the emperor penguins and their extraordinary feats of courage and resilience.
