Baby emperor penguins are captivating the world with their fearless cliff dives, captured in a viral Nat Geo video, which showcases their remarkable courage and zest for life.
Global (13 April 2024) – In a heartwarming display of courage and resilience, baby emperor penguins have stolen the spotlight with their daring cliff dives captured in a viral video by National Geographic.
These tiny adventurers fearlessly took the plunge off a towering Antarctic cliff, demonstrating an unparalleled zest for life that has captured the world’s attention.
The “unprecedented” footage was expertly captured by Bertie Gregory, an award-winning British cinematographer known for his stunning work with National Geographic.
Gregory was astonished by the bravery exhibited by these young penguins, stating, “I had no idea that the chicks would be able to make such a giant leap. And not just survive, but happily swim off together into the Southern Ocean … How’s that for your first swimming lesson?”
While baby penguins learning to swim has been captured on video before, witnessing them cliff diving is a rare spectacle that, until now, had never been caught on camera. Gregory’s keen instincts led him to the incredible scene as he noticed a flock of baby penguins heading towards a daunting 50-foot ice cliff above the ocean. Just in time, his drone captured the breathtaking moment as hundreds of chicks lined up at the cliff’s edge, ready to take the plunge.
Emperor penguin chicks are no strangers to the ocean, often marching towards it at a tender age of just six months. According to National Geographic, these young adventurers usually take their first swim by jumping a mere 2 feet off the ice. However, some have been known to leap from much higher altitudes, heading towards sheer ice cliffs with a clear intention to dive.
Satellites have been recording these death-defying jumps since 2009, but what happens next has remained a mystery – until now.
The cliff-diving antics of these baby penguins will be showcased in the 2025 instalment of National Geographic’s Emmy award-winning “Secrets of” franchise, “Secrets of The Penguins.” Nature enthusiasts and animal lovers alike can look forward to the premiere on Earth Day 2025, exclusively on Nat Geo.
You can watch the clip going viral below:
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