Environment

• Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 17:53 UTC

  Giant ‘Kariuku” penguins populated New Zealand some 27 million of years ago

  

  Palaeontologists have unearthed fossils of what they say the tallest ever penguin species that lived in what is now New Zealand some 27 million years ago. The he lanky bird that stood as high as 4.2 feet was also slimmer than modern penguins, with a long beak and flippers.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 17:25 UTC

  South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands announce Marine Protected Area

  

  UK Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham has welcomed the declaration of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around the UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 04:33 UTC

  Tragedy in Antarctica: “much improvisation” and “a great lesson for Chile”

  

  The tragedy in the Antarctic King George Island involving the Brazilian base should be “a great lesson for Chile” and is evidence that research scientists and military personnel coexist in Antarctica under “improvised conditions”.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 04:29 UTC

  Blaze destroys Brazilian Antarctic base; two dead when generator room exploded

  

  A fire broke out at Brazil's research station in Antarctica on Saturday, killing two navy personnel and forcing the evacuation by helicopter of about 40 other people, the government said.

• Friday, February 24th 2012 - 07:34 UTC

  Extremely rare beaked whales filmed for the first time ever in Australian waters

  

  Australian researchers on Thursday revealed they had filmed a pod of extremely rare Shepherd's beaked whales for the first time ever.The Australian Antarctic Division team was tracking blue whales off the coast of Victoria state in January when they spotted the reclusive mammals, which are so rarely seen that no population estimates of the species exist.

• Thursday, February 23rd 2012 - 04:01 UTC

  Japanese nationals planning to travel to Antarctica must notify Environment Ministry

  

  In an effort to assist travel agents and tour operators with Antarctica travel planning for their Japanese clients and foreign residents of Japan, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is making new information available from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.

• Thursday, February 23rd 2012 - 03:53 UTC

  IAATO public awareness campaign for Antarctica bound yachts

  

  Following a good response to its public awareness campaign focusing on yacht operators, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has continued its efforts during the current 2011-12 season to educate those bound for Antarctica aboard sailing or motor vessels.

• Wednesday, February 22nd 2012 - 20:39 UTC

  British subs to provide under-the-ice data to help with Arctic climate change

  

  Data collected by Royal Navy vessels, as part of standard operations, is set to provide clues on Arctic climate change. Little is known about the areas of water underneath the Arctic ice, as sensors are difficult to place for long term deployment. Now UK environmental researchers are to be presented with previously unavailable information provided by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

• Tuesday, February 21st 2012 - 20:56 UTC

  UK celebrates Captain Scott’s Antarctic achievements and legacy to peace and science

  

  Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham celebrated the Captain Scott expedition's achievements and legacy of peace and science at the Foreign Office on 20 February.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 18:49 UTC

  Songbird wheatear breeds in the Artic, flies across the Atlantic to spend winter in Africa

  

  The sharp-eyed northern wheatear is a songbird that weighs a mere 25 grams, about the same as two tablespoons of flour. With its spindly legs, its muted white, brown and black colour, who would think such a lightweight capable of heroic endurance?