BEHIND THE SCENE

Emperor penguins parents take equal turns caring for their offspring. After courtship ritual and mating, the female lays a single egg. It's an energy-consuming process, and the female can lose 30% or more of her body weight.

After the female gives birth, the male will incubate the eggs for the next couple of months while the female forages at sea. She will return in the spring, after which both parents alternate time with their chick.

With so many penguins crowded together in the colony, there’s a lot of confusion and possibility of mistaken identity. Parents use vocalization to find their partner and chick. Their calls are distinct and unique, which makes them easier to pick out in the crowd.