In this article posted at npr, scientists who were concerned about seemingly lost populations of emperor penguins in Antarctica have utilized a novel method of finding them -- using satellites to spot guano from space! The large colonies of penguins leave prominent poop stains on the ice which are visible from outer space.
And its no wonder! According to wikipedia, "the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species and is endemic to Antarctica. The male and female are similar in plumage and size, reaching 122 cm (48 in) in height and weighing anywhere from 22–37 kg (48–82 lb)." Wow! They get up to 82 pounds and four feet tall - I had no idea they grew so large - so of COURSE their poop can be spotted from space!
Using the satellites, scientists have located 38 colonies, including 10 new ones. Six colonies, however, seem to have disappeared.
Scientists are concerned about the emperor penguins due to impending loss of habitat. Global warming is expected to shrink Antarctica ice in the future, endangering the penguins and other animals who make it their home.
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