---
title: "Zavodovski Island loses title of largest penguin colony"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/zavodovski-island-loses-title-of-largest-penguin-colony"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/zavodovski-island-loses-title-of-largest-penguin-colony"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/zavodovski-island-loses-title-of-largest-penguin-colony.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/zavodovski-island-loses-title-of-largest-penguin-colony"
category: "Climate"
published: "2026-10-08T18:25:15.162Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-08T14:38:16.702Z"
updated: "2026-10-08T18:25:15.162Z"
trust_score: 60
critic_score: 65
hype_score: 30
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-08T19:30:08.580091+00:00"
---

# Zavodovski Island loses title of largest penguin colony

*Chinstrap penguin population has declined by 63% since 2011, scientists report.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to named researchers and a journal, with figures from aerial surveys and satellite data.
- Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. The full report quotes affected parties and explains why the story matters, but lacks a right of reply.
- Hype 30 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are mostly factual, with some mild emphasis on the decline of the penguin colony.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Zavodovski Island, in the South Sandwich Islands, is no longer home to the world's largest penguin colony.
- Chinstrap penguin numbers on the island have fallen by 63% between 2011 and 2025, a loss of over half a million birds.
- Scientists attribute the decline to human-driven climate change, which is warming the ocean and disrupting the krill population, the penguins' primary food source.
- While chinstrap penguins declined, the island's macaroni penguin population increased by 28% between 2011 and 2016.

Zavodovski Island, an uninhabited volcanic outcrop in the Southern Ocean, has lost its status as the location of the world's largest penguin colony. British Antarctic Survey researchers found that chinstrap penguin populations there declined by 63% between 2011 and 2025. This represents a loss of more than half a million penguins from the island.

Scientists attribute this significant population drop to human-driven climate change. They state that warming oceans are disrupting the krill population, which is the primary food source for chinstrap penguins. The research, published in the journal Current Biology, noted that the chinstrap penguin is a specialist species with a limited range that is being squeezed by environmental changes.

In contrast to the chinstrap penguins, the macaroni penguin population on Zavodovski Island increased by 28% between 2011 and 2016, after which it remained stable. Researchers suggested this difference supports the climate change theory, as macaroni penguins are more adaptable to warmer waters and have a more varied diet.

## Divergent population figures

Reports provide differing figures for the total number of chinstrap penguins on Zavodovski Island in 2011 and 2025. KIFI, citing British Antarctic Survey findings, states the number of occupied nests fell by 63% between 2011 and 2025. The Independent and The Independent (US) report that the number of breeding chinstrap penguins fell from over a million to 400,000. Newser states chinstrap penguins plunged 63% since 2011, from roughly 1.09 million to 402,000 in 2025. NOS reports that in 2011, 900,000 hooded penguins and 90,000 macaroni penguins lived on Zavodovski Island.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left, centre, or right-rated reports printed below mention the macaroni penguin population increase on Zavodovski Island.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 59 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 19% (11)
- Centre: 71% (42)
- Right: 10% (6)

16 of 75 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-08T19:30:08.580091+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-08T20:30:07.770Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports focused on the scale of the population collapse and its link to the climate crisis. Il Post, Merco Press, The Independent, The Independent (US), Common Dreams, Newser, and Cumhuriyet all highlighted the significant loss of penguins and attributed it to climate change or the climate crisis. Common Dreams used the word 'crash' to describe the population decline. Newser described it as an 'enormous crash'. Several reports, including The Independent and The Independent (US), noted the population fell from over a million to 400,000. Merco Press and Il Post stated the colony lost nearly two-thirds of its nests or specimens.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports from KIFI, The Japan Times, KEZI 9 News, Sky News UK, KCRA 3, WCVB, WLWT, and WMUR led with the loss of the island's title as the largest penguin colony. KIFI and The Japan Times reported that more than half a million chinstrap penguins were lost between 2011 and 2025, with The Japan Times specifying over 680,000. Sky News UK stated the colony shrunk by two-thirds in 14 years. KEZI 9 News, KCRA 3, WCVB, WLWT, and WMUR used the headline 'This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title'.

### Right

- Right-rated reports from NDTV, khbrknews, Anadolu Ajansı, NOS, The Straits Times, and Free Malaysia Today News focused on the loss of the island's title due to climate change. NDTV and The Straits Times used the headline 'Climate Change Strips Island's Title Of Largest Penguin Colony'. Anadolu Ajansı reported the population fell by more than 680,000 between 2011 and 2025. NOS stated that climate change caused a rapid decline of chinstrap penguins on a British island, noting that in 2011, 900,000 hooded penguins and 90,000 macaroni penguins lived on Zavodovski Island.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 6
- high: 22
- unknown: 16
- veryHigh: 30

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [topky.sk](https://topky.sk/cl/13/9513625/Mrazive-zistenie-v-Antarktide--Z-obrovskej-kolonie-tucniakov-zmizli-dve-tretiny--Co-sa-stalo-) — A Chilling Discovery in Antarctica: Two-Thirds of a Huge Penguin Colony Have Disappeared! What Happened?
- [Mediafax](https://mediafax.ro/externe/cea-mai-mare-colonie-de-pinguini-din-lume-decimata-de-schimbarile-climatice-23822212) — The Largest Penguin Colony in the World, Decimated by Climate Change
- [ecotopical.com](https://ecotopical.com/ehn/461637/inside-collapse-earths-largest-penguin-colony) — Inside the collapse of earth's largest penguin colony
- [L'INDIPENDENTE](https://lindipendente.online/2026/10/08/la-colonia-di-pinguini-piu-grande-al-mondo-e-diminuita-di-due-terzi) — The Largest Penguin Colony in the World Has Decreased by Two Thirds
- [sciencesetavenir.fr](https://sciencesetavenir.fr/nature-environnement/la-plus-grande-colonie-de-manchots-du-monde-victime-du-changement-climatique-montre-une-etude_195269) — The Largest Colony of Penguins in the World Is "in Danger", Argues a Study
- [Il Post](https://ilpost.it/2026/10/08/problemi-colonia-pinguini-pigoscelidi-zavodovski) — The Largest Colony of Penguins Is No Longer
- [nin.rs](https://nin.rs/magazin/vesti/125417/najveca-kolonija-pingvina-na-svetu-izgubila-dve-trecine-populacije-naucnici-zabrinuti) — The Largest Colony of Penguins in the World Lost Two Thirds of Its Population: Scientists Are Worried About the Collapse of the Ecosystem
- [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://nauka.telegraf.rs/priroda/4410884-najveca-kolonija-ovih-pingvina-ekspresno-nestaje) — The Largest Colony of These Penguins Is Rapidly Disappearing
- [Karar Gazetesi](https://karar.com/guncel-haberler/arastirma-dunyanin-en-buyuk-penguen-kolonisinde-populasyonun-2077054) — Study: More than a Quarter of the Population Has Died in the World's Largest Penguin Colony
- [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/world-news/climate-change-strips-islands-title-of-largest-penguin-colony-study-12155600) — Climate Change Strips Island's Title Of Largest Penguin Colony: Study
- [Merco Press](https://en.mercopress.com/2026/10/08/what-was-the-world-s-largest-penguin-colony-has-lost-nearly-two-thirds-of-its-nests) — What was the world's largest penguin colony has lost nearly two thirds of its nests
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/chinstrap-penguin-colony-decline-zavodovski-b3063204.html) — World’s largest penguin colony loses two-thirds of its population
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/climate-change/news/chinstrap-penguin-colony-decline-zavodovski-b3063204.html) — World’s largest penguin colony loses two-thirds of its population
- [Habertürk](https://haberturk.com/yasam/dunyanin-en-buyuk-penguen-kolonisinin-ceyreginden-fazlasi-oldu-3918057) — More than a Quarter of the World's Largest Penguin Colony Has Died.
- [TVXS - TV Χωρίς Σύνορα](https://tvxs.gr/news/perivallon/ereyna-i-megalyteri-apoikia-pigkoyinon-ston-kosmo-echase-schedon-ta-2-3-toy-plithysmoy-tis) — Research / The World's Largest Penguin Colony Has Lost Almost 2/3 of Its Population
- [Great Yorkshire Radio](https://greatyorkshireradio.co.uk/world/worlds-largest-penguin-colony-shrinks-two-thirds-in-just-14-years) — World's Largest Penguin Colony Shrinks Two-thirds In Just 14 Years
- [khbrknews](https://khbrknews.com/worlds-largest-penguin-colony-shrinks-two) — World’s largest penguin colony shrinks two
- [The Japan Times](https://japantimes.co.jp/environment/2026/10/08/wildlife/penguin-island-colony-climate-change) — Climate change strips island’s title of largest penguin colony, study shows
- [KEZI 9 News](https://kezi.com/news/spanish/la-mayor-colonia-de-ping-inos-del-mundo-pierde-m-s-de-medio-mill-n/article_da5eb3db-f743-562a-a6b6-28382440558e.html) — The Largest Penguin Colony in the World Loses More than Half a Million Specimens
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/world/world-s-largest-penguin-colony-loses-nearly-two-thirds-of-population-amid-climate-change-study/4081613) — World's Largest Penguin Colony Loses Nearly Two-Thirds of Population Amid Climate Change: Study
- [Sky News UK](https://news.sky.com/story/worlds-largest-penguin-colony-shrinks-two-thirds-in-just-14-years-13596336) — World's largest penguin colony shrinks two-thirds in just 14 years
- [KCRA 3](https://kcra.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WCVB](https://wcvb.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WLWT](https://wlwt.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WMUR](https://wmur.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WLKY](https://wlky.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [Koco News5](https://koco.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WYFF](https://wyff4.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WDSU](https://wdsu.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WTAE](https://wtae.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KCCI](https://kcci.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WISN](https://wisn.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KETV](https://ketv.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WPTZ](https://mynbc5.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KMBC](https://kmbc.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WBAL-TV](https://wbaltv.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WMTW](https://wmtw.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WVTM](https://wvtm13.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KOAT](https://koat.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WAPT](https://wapt.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WPBF](https://wpbf.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WGAL](https://wgal.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WXII](https://wxii12.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KSBW](https://ksbw.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [WJCL](https://wjcl.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KHBS](https://4029tv.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [MOR-TV](https://mor-tv.com/article/chinstrap-penguins-island/74070602) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [Common Dreams](https://commondreams.org/news/penguin-colony-collapse) — Climate Crisis Likely Caused World's Largest Penguin Colony to 'Crash'
- [NOS](https://nos.nl/artikel/2634068-klimaatverandering-oorzaak-van-snelle-teruggang-stormbandpinguin-op-brits-eiland) — Climate Change Causes Rapid Decline of Chinstrap Penguin on the British Isles
- [Newser](https://newser.com/story/397745/an-enormous-crash-at-worlds-largest-penguin-colony.html) — An 'Enormous Crash' at World's Largest Penguin Colony
- [themondonews.com](https://themondonews.com/science/worlds-largest-penguin-colony-faces-decline-due-to-climate-change) — World's Largest Penguin Colony Faces Decline Due to Climate Change
- [Cumhuriyet](https://cumhuriyet.com.tr/dunya/antarktika-da-penguen-nufusu-eridi-dunyanin-en-buyuk-kolonisi-unvanini-kaybetti-2544682) — Penguin Population in Antarctica Dwindled: It Lost Its Title as the World's Largest Colony.
- [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/bas-zavodovski-de-2011-den-bu-yana-500-binden-20307902-haberi) — BAS Announced that More than 500,000 Penguins Have Died in Zavodovski Since 2011.
- [Life.ru](https://life.ru/p/uchenye-zafiksirovali-ischeznovenie-polumilliona-pingvinov-s-ostrova-v) — Scientists Have Recorded the Disappearance of Half a Million Penguins From the Island in Antarctica.
- [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/actualites/environnement/2026-10-07/etude/la-plus-grande-colonie-de-manchots-du-monde-victime-du-changement-climatique.php) — Study: The Largest Colony of Penguins in the World Affected by Climate Change
- [NU](https://nu.nl/dieren/6412382/s-werelds-grootste-pinguinkolonie-lijdt-aan-alarmerende-afname-aantal-pinguins.html) — World's Largest Penguin Colony Suffers 'Alarming' Decline in Penguin Numbers
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20261007-climate-change-strips-island-s-title-of-largest-penguin-colony-study) — Climate change strips island's title of largest penguin colony: study
- [CBS News](https://cbsnews.com/news/penguin-population-collapse-climate-change-study) — Iconic penguin colony sees "population collapse" driven by climate change, study finds
- [rador.ro](https://rador.ro/2026/10/07/numarul-pinguinilor-cu-barba-din-cea-mai-mare-colonie-din-lume-a-scazut-cu-aproape-doua-treimi) — The Number of Beard Penguins in the Largest Colony in the World Has Dropped by Almost Two-Thirds . . Press Agency Rador
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/climate-change-strips-islands-title-of-largest-penguin-colony-study) — Climate change strips Zavodovski island of largest penguin colony
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/07/climate-change-strips-island-s-title-of-largest-penguin-colony) — Climate change strips island’s title of largest penguin colony
- [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/nederlands/1037416/half-miljoen-keelbandpinguins-zijn-verdwenen-sub-antarctische-eiland) — Half a Million Chinstrap Penguins Have Disappeared From the Sub-Antarctic Island of Zavodovski.
- [National Geographic](https://nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/worlds-largest-chinstrap-penguin-colony-collapsed) — Inside the Collapse of Earth's Largest Penguin Colony
- [KIFI](https://localnews8.com/cnn-other/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KRDO](https://krdo.com/news/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KVIA](https://kvia.com/cnn-other/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KEYT](https://keyt.com/news/national-world/cnn-other/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KESQ](https://kesq.com/cnn-other/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [KMIZ](https://abc17news.com/cnn-other/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/cnn-other/2026/10/07/this-island-was-home-to-the-planets-largest-penguin-colony-heres-why-it-just-lost-that-title) — This island was home to the planet’s largest penguin colony. Here’s why it just lost that title
- [Euronews](https://euronews.com/2026/10/07/a-worrying-decline-why-penguins-are-vanishing-from-this-volcanic-island-2000km-from-humans) — Why this remote volcanic island lost Earth’s largest penguin colony
- [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/cr9dzy24g2l7o) — World's largest penguin colony hit by climate-driven decline
- [NRC Handelsblad](https://nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/10/07/een-half-miljoen-keelbandpinguins-zijn-verdwenen-van-het-sub-antarctische-eiland-zavodovski-de-oorzaak-is-de-opwarming-van-het-zeewater-a4938127) — Half a Million Chinstrap Penguins Have Disappeared From the Sub-Antarctic Island of Zavodovski. The Cause Is the Warming of the Seawater.
- [El Pais](https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2026-10-07/zavodovsky-deja-de-ser-el-lugar-del-mundo-con-mas-pinguinos-tras-perder-medio-millon-de-ejemplares.html) — Zavodovsky Ceases to Be the Place in the World with More Penguins After Losing Half a Million Specimens
- [Science](https://science.org/content/article/world-s-once-largest-penguin-colony-perilous-decline) — World’s once-largest penguin colony is in perilous decline

## Questions

**Why has Zavodovski Island lost its title as the largest penguin colony?**

Zavodovski Island has lost its title because the chinstrap penguin population has declined by 63% between 2011 and 2025. Scientists attribute this significant drop to human-driven climate change, which is warming the ocean and disrupting the krill population that the penguins rely on for food.

**How many penguins have been lost from Zavodovski Island?**

More than half a million chinstrap penguins have been lost from Zavodovski Island since 2011. Some reports specify this figure as over 680,000, while others state the population fell from over a million to 400,000.

**What is the cause of the penguin population decline?**

Scientists attribute the decline to human-driven climate change. The warming ocean is disrupting the krill population, which is the primary food source for chinstrap penguins. This makes it difficult for them to survive and reproduce in their habitat.

**Has every penguin species on the island declined?**

No, not all penguin species on Zavodovski Island have declined. While the chinstrap penguin population has fallen dramatically, the macaroni penguin population increased by 28% between 2011 and 2016, and has remained stable since then.

---

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