科學家提出證據顯示,棲息於南極地理岬(Pointe Geologie)群島、繁衍過程曾被拍攝成電影「企鵝寶貝」(March of the Penguins)的國王企鵝,從1952年至今,數量至少已減少了55%。
為了避免帝王企鵝從此滅絕,美國一非營利組織——生物多樣性研究中心已於2006年11月向布希政府陳情,希望將帝王企鵝與其他種類的企鵝納入聯邦政府的保護。生物多樣性研究中心在6月份對美國漁業暨野生動物局(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)對於其遲遲未回應2006年的陳情提出控訴。
美國漁業暨野生動物局於10日回應,表示將帝王企鵝與其他9種企鵝納入瀕絕物種法的陳情絕對有其根據,並且將重新審視此10種企鵝的狀態,決定是否將其納入聯邦瀕臨絕種暨受威脅之野生動植物的名單之中。上述10種企鵝分別為帝王企鵝、南跳岩企鵝、北跳岩企鵝、峽灣冠羽企鵝、豎冠企鵝、長冠企鵝、白鰭企鵝、黃眼企鵝、非洲企鵝與洪氏環企鵝。
The emperor penguin colony at Pointe Geologie, which was featured in the film "March of the Penguins," has declined by at least 55 percent since 1952 due to global warming, scientists have documented.
To prevent the sea birds from dying out, the Center for Biological Diversity, a national nonprofit group, last November petitioned the Bush administration to place these and other penguin species under federal protection.
Last month, the group threatened to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to respond to the petition.
Today, the Service responded, saying that protection under the Endangered Species Act for emperor penguins and nine other penguin species indeed may be warranted. The Service will review the 10 species' status and determine whether to propose them for inclusion on the federal list of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
The 10 species are the emperor, southern rockhopper, northern rockhopper, Fiordland crested, erect-crested, macaroni, white-flippered, yellow-eyed, African and Humboldt penguins.
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