snip on GW

NYT June 29, 2001

... Researchers say the Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo, which have
steadily decreased in number for more than a decade, are not alone. Around
the world, many penguin populations are declining, researchers say, and
evidence is mounting that global warming, whether natural or human-induced,
is a prime cause.

Unless things change, they say, the outlook for some of these penguin
species will be grim. Ten of the world's 17 penguin species are already
listed as threatened or endangered.

Though a few species are thriving, "penguins, in general, are experiencing
some really serious problems," said Dr. Lloyd Davis, penguin biologist at
the University of Otago in New Zealand. "They are in trouble."

In addition to climate change, Dr. Davis said problems like overfishing and
oil spills threatened these flightless birds. Penguins' best hope for
overcoming these many obstacles, scientists say, may be their abundant
adorability and the protection and money it can bring. ...