ANTARCTICA / Penguins Seen Thriving Despite Rise in Sea Ice

The discovery of a large rookery of emperor penguins in Antarctica has raised hopes that the birds were not disastrously affected by a huge iceberg last year. The appearance in the Ross Sea of an iceberg the size of Jamaica and an increase in sea ice made it almost impossible for the birds to find food, causing the deaths of thousands of penguin chicks.

But researchers on a U.S. Air Force plane returning to New Zealand from a midwinter resupply flight to bases on Ross Island observed and photographed the penguins in a large huddle. It was impossible to tell how many birds were there, but their presence was a positive sign, said Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Lou Sanson. Emperors are the largest penguins, standing more than 3 feet tall and weighing as much as 90 pounds.