Hugo Guímaro | 8 August 2024
Studying emperor penguins in Antarctica? A project that would make any researcher dream. The opportunity arose for Hugo Guímaro, Bioscience PhD student at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, who tells us about his experience with the Snow Hill emperor penguin colony. “Do you want to see the emperor penguins?” – That was the opportunity offered […]
Antarctica doesn’t just offer beautiful scenery. Working on this icy continent poses a number of logistical challenges for researchers, as well as representing a unique professional opportunity, particularly for early-career researchers. Photo : Neil Ever Osborne
Studying emperor penguins in Antarctica? A project that would make any researcher dream. The opportunity arose for Hugo Guímaro, Bioscience PhD student at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, who tells us about his experience with the Snow Hill emperor penguin colony.
“Do you want to see the emperor penguins?” – That was the opportunity offered to me that lead to one of the most incredible experiences of my life. As a PhD student and an early career researcher (ECR), we sometimes don’t have the chance to work directly with the subjects of our research. This can be demotivating, affecting the way we work on our tasks, but from the beginning, we accept the risk and hope for the best. Luckily, I was given one of those gold opportunities – embarking on an expedition to Antarctica to do fieldwork in an emperor penguin colony.
Observing emperor penguins is challenging. They inhabit remote, southern latitudes and depend on ice for their entire life cycle – from their diet and moulting sites to their reproductive cycle (breeding on sea-ice, not on land as other penguin species). Scientists have long struggled to study these seabirds due to the inaccessibility of their colonies. Advances in technology have enabled access to some colonies, with more than 30 discovered via satellite imagery, though few are accessible to researchers. Snow Hill is the northernmost colony and the primary goal of my expedition to Antarctic Peninsula.
Located on the eastern Antarctic Peninsula, Snow Hill Island is home to over 4 000 pairs of emperor penguins. Photo : Hugo Guímaro
Before any expedition, preparations are essential and often start months in advance. Physical examinations are mandatory to ensure our fitness. Additionally, specialized training sessions are also required to ensure we can survive in extreme weather and understand all protocols: managing weather gear, on-board emergencies, safety procedures, and environmental regulations. With fieldwork logistics came the big headaches – securing permits for sampling and coordinating the transport of samples back to the institute. Closer to departure, packing becomes a Tetris game, requiring careful consideration to ensure nothing is left behind (especially medicines to everything!). Lastly, and most importantly before any trip like this – spending time with family and friends.
On 11 November 2023, I began the most anticipated journey of my life. It took me a 13-hour flight to Buenos Aires, plus several hours to Ushuaia (also Argentina), the ‘end of the world’. Exploring the city and enjoying a king crab lunch together offered me a chance to get to know my supervisors better (and they to me) in a more relaxed environment – crucial for developing a healthy relationship, especially for a PhD student. Eventually, we boarded the ship, our home for the expedition. I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety, as it was my first time on a ship, and in the top of that, to Antarctica itself.
To reach Antarctica from South America, we usually face the Drake Passage – dangerous for its rough seas. Fortunately, we experienced relatively calm conditions, though not my stomach. Daily life on board was important to know the crew and other people from different backgrounds, giving me an opportunity to network. Everything changed with the sight of the first icebergs – we knew we had arrived at the Southern Ocean. After a couple of hours, at six in the morning, we reached Snow Hill Island.
If the Drake Passage is an ordeal that awaits every scientist who reaches the white continent, the reward can take the form of a healthy colony of emperor penguins. Photo: Hugo Guímaro
The meticulous planning ensured safety and efficiency. I was very nervous as it was my first time in polar fieldwork. I could feel all the pressure of overseeing the collection of guano samples (seabird droppings) needed for my project – without them, my project would need to change, and that can sometimes be hard for an ECR. To reach the colony, we used helicopters and after a 30-minute walk, we saw the first emperor penguins. I was relieved as they looked very healthy and not infected with avian influenza. With limited time, we started our tasks right away. Luckily, the good weather gave us two days at the colony.
First, we used drones to map the colony (later used to count their numbers and check counting accuracy with satellite imagery). Deploying satellite transmitters on the penguins was really a funny challenge (the tracking data will reveal the feeding and moulting areas). Despite their goofy look, emperor penguins are very strong and fast when they lay on their bellies and just take off – it was a great opportunity to do some exercise and, as an ECR, to learn directly from my supervisors on the field. Each guano sample collected felt like a small victory (later be analysed for DNA to identify main diet components). Achieving my goal was indescribable, especially as an ECR.
Mapping the penguin colony using drones, deploying satellite transmitters on the birds or sampling guano, as shown here, are just some of the tasks faced by scientists conducting their research in a penguin colony. Photo: Neil Ever Osborne
Back on the ship, we discussed our findings and next steps to the people on board, a good way to again develop my communication skills. Also, networking with senior researchers and the crew and working in a collaborative environment was incredibly beneficial – having lunch or a simple drink would present a moment to share a mutual passion about Antarctica and create new opportunities. These connections will be absolutely invaluable for my future career. Reflecting on this journey, I realise how it has already started shaping my research skills and future dreams as an ECR.
This expedition was fundamental for my science path as an ECR because it allowed me to develop and apply critical skills. My PhD project aims to understand the biogeography of emperor penguins. Working in situ gave me a better understanding of the big picture and fuelled my fascination with Antarctica and how I can have a greater impact with my research. I understand such opportunities can be rare, but I believe they can make a significant difference in an ECR’s mindset. This fieldwork experience was transformative for me, and I encourage all ECRs to pursue diverse opportunities, including fieldwork in other areas. Such experiences can broaden their horizons and foster both personal and professional growth as scientists in training.
Hugo Guímaro
Hugo Guímaro, a young polar scientist from Portugal, is currently a PhD student at the Marine and Environmental Science Centre of the University of Coimbra (MARE-UC – Coimbra, Portugal), and at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS – Cambridge, United Kingdom). His research focuses on Antarctic marine ecology, particularly on understanding the ecological dynamics between climate change and emperor penguins. Aside from his scientific work, he actively engages in science communication, delivering lectures on polar science’s significance and contributing to science journalism. He also uses photography to raise awareness about polar regions, having participated in an Antarctic expedition by bringing first-hand experience to his advocacy efforts. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists.
