Baby penguins are being scared by low-flying tourist and research helicopters
in the Antarctic. Scientists at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)
discovered this when they flew a twin-engine helicopter over a colony of emperor
penguins at 1000 metres—the height specified by AAD guidelines—and
filmed the outcome on the ground. Three-quarters of the chicks became nervous,
flapping their flippers and scurrying towards one another (Polar
Biology, vol 22, p 366). In response to the study, the AAD plans to raise
the minimum altitude to 1500 metres.
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