On February 18, 2023, researchers at the temporary Turkish Science Camp on Horseshoe Island first spotted an emperor penguin during fieldwork. Observations, photography, and careful filming were conducted in accordance with international ethical guidelines to avoid disturbing the penguin.
A second emperor penguin was recorded on February 22, 2023, at a higher and windier area of the island. Both individuals were molting, a crucial period in their life cycle, and their presence in this northern location provides insight into the effects of climate change on migration and breeding patterns.
The findings were later compiled into a scientific article published in Polar Research (2023). This discovery highlights Türkiye’s contribution to polar research and emphasizes the importance of protecting wildlife in the Antarctic.