Over 2,000 Magellanic penguins have been found dead on the beaches of Uruguay this July, raising concerns among scientists and environmentalists.
The lifeless bodies of these penguins, which were found washed up on the Atlantic Ocean shores, appeared "tremendously thin" and with empty stomachs, indicating a concerning lack of food reserves, as per experts.
Carmen Leizagoyen, an expert from Uruguay's Environment Ministry, expressed her deep concern about the situation, stating, "This is mortality in the water."
According to Leizagoyen, a staggering 90% of the deceased penguins are young specimens, arriving at the shores without essential fat reserves and displaying signs of starvation.
The cause of this tragic mass die-off is yet to be determined. However, scientists are pointing towards the growing evidence of extreme climate changes as a potential contributing factor.
The increasingly erratic weather patterns and ocean temperature fluctuations could be disrupting the penguins' natural feeding grounds, he added.
Magellanic penguins are known to undertake long migration journeys in search of food, and the warming oceans may be affecting their ability to find sustenance. As their traditional habitats become less productive due to these environmental changes, the penguins may be forced to travel further, expending more energy and depleting their already limited fat reserves.