Emperor penguin chicks seen cliff diving on camera for first time

Captured on camera for the first time ever, hundreds of six-month-old emperor penguin chicks were filmed taking a leap of faith off of a 50-foot cliff in Antarctica.

A penguin chick’s first jump into the water is typically only a foot or two, but in this rare case, the group ended up alongside a cliff's edge.

Likely motivated to hunt the fresh fish, krill and squid in the water, the fledglings marched from the frozen land in West Antarctica to the surrounding Weddell Sea.

One baby penguin took a polar plunge into the sea, with other chicks following suit soon after. A National Geographic team filmed this rare behavior via drone in January 2024.

Credit: National Geographic / "Secrets of the Penguins"

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[Stonktradomus]

Headline: Emperor penguins realize they can't fly for the first time. 😅

[ascent]

Interesting to have such a strong instinct to do something but also be afraid to do it. They’re adorable.

[divyarathor]

Bravo to that first Chick that took the leap and helped the rest to overcome their fear! Thank you for sharing the footage!

[identifying.as.asovereignhuman]

They all cheered for the first penguin

[haydeefm]

That first one was mighty brave. Congrats, little penguin. Much respect!!!

[ArnaudMuller]

Loving the penguins checking out if the first one diving made it safely! 😂

[goikster]

Somebody pushed the fourth penguin he look like he didn't want to go😂😂😂😂

[berniemadoff]

Mom: "If your friend jumped off a cliff would you do it too?"

Penguin:

[alxr.]

😳Wow! Amazing! That is a CRAZY BIG drop, esp for their 1st time, and as babies!! Godspeed, sweet lil’ penguin chickies!!🙏🏼🤍🐧

[michellet.]

The first one dove so gracefully, the next few... ungraceful belly flop. 😆

[judigrumm]

The first one was the daredevil. The other ones just didn't want to be called 'chicken'!

[barblee]

These darlings are so brave. No mummies and daddies to coax, molly coddle to make their 1st jump. Also no shoving, everything done in an orderly manner. ❤❤❤

[chrisbarlow]

“This isn’t flying! This is falling, with style.” 😎

[barbaraandrews]

Hats off to the person who did this❤❤❤ even heard the splashes!! Beautiful!!

[shobhajreddy]

The fourth penguin "Who pushed me"😂😂😂

[anikaelizabeth]

This is the kind of Journalism 🇺🇸 should be doing. So beautiful

[cloudyday]

❤ that music stopped ...quietness... Splash!!!
This is so touching I had to watch it several times.

[hiimadrienne]

"And thats when i fell for.. the leader of the pack" 😂😅
❤🎉

[bpexodus]

Penguin #2: You go!
Penguin #3: No, you go!
Penguin #4: No, You go!
Penguin #5: No, you go!

[broadwaywes]

I love how they try to fly. It’s so cute.