QUESTION:
We were wondering what is the typical survival rate of Adelie penguins 
during the first week / month / 6 months / year of their lives?
            

              Joshua and Lee
              Sixth grade students from Rockbridge, Wisconsin


ANSWER from Lori Ross, Researcher on Carol Vleck's Team
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Fri, 14 Feb 1997 16:59:46 -0500
 

Dear Joshua and Lee,

This is a very good question.  In fact, this is the focus of 
many research projects.  The survival rate of an adelie penguin 
depends on many factors which can change from year to year.  First of 
all it depends on how  fit the adults are which depends on 
the amount of krill available over the winter which depends on the 
amount of sea ice etc etc.  Survival also depends on the direct 
weather pattern; late heavy snow can be devastating to a 
penguin rookery.  Other wildlife populations also effect the 
survival rate of young adelies.  The population of elephant seals 
has greatly increased in the last 5 years and thus there is more 
competition for space.  An elephant seal can wipe out a colony of 
penguins if it decided the fastest way to the beach is through the 
colony.  All of these factors change from year to year and from 
location to location.  As you can see, this is a very 
complicated question to answer.  I can tell you that the first year 
of a penguins life is the most difficult.  Usually, if a penguin can 
make it through its first harsh winter, it will live a very long 
life.

Thanks for your question!

Lori Ross