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Category — Penguin

March of the Penguins at the Moonlight cinema

by Gregory Brine

Emperor Penguins image from National Geographic I went to see March of the Penguins at the moonlight cinema in Sydney recently. The moonlight cinema is located on one of the hills in Centennial Park, and films start at sunset.

Jenny and I were probably the most un-prepared people there! We had no drink, no food, no blankets or pillows. We had to make do with perching on the grass as best we could. Oh, and ignoring the numerous bugs that come to check you out.

I’ll start by saying that since seeing this film, I have a new found respect for Emperor Penguins! They truly are amazing animals. How the find the same spot every year to nest. How they survive for months and months in the freezing cold, without food. And the bond they make with their partners during the whole process of birth. Oh, and it’s narrated by Morgan Freeman.

These animals trek across the Antarctic tundra, in long lines from several directions. Somehow finding the same location without any pointers, and arriving at almost the same time for each direction.

The females lay their egg just before winter, and then entrust the Males to endure the harsh winter to look after the egg. It hits -80 degrees with no sunshine for weeks. And then the wind blows… Can you imagine that! And I used to moan that England could be cold at times! Huddled together, they form a large moving mass, each taking turns on the outside, protecting the others, all the time trying their hardest to look after the egg. Sadly, accidents do occur during these moves though…

All this time, the females, having used most of their energy to lay the egg, have headed back to the coast to feed, so they can feed the baby when it’s born. Somehow, once again, they arrive just after the baby hatches - sometimes a little too late sadly. And talk about cute! The baby Emperor Penguins are just the cutest, fluffiest things - my friends will pull me up on that comment, but I bet they’ll all be thinking the same thing if they see it. Then the Males head off to feed, starting a back and forwards system too and from the sea to get food and strength back.

It’s amazing how they manage to find the same animal based on their voice, bonding so closely. And the intelligence of these birds is astonishing. The sense of bond they create with the baby, the emotions they display if anything happens to the baby. The look of love between the parents during the whole ritual is so touching.

Their are sad points, obviously as it is a nature film. Their are also funny moments, such as when a penguin slips over, stands up and makes a noise as if it was letting loose a profanity. It’s a lovely film, and something I think everyone wold benefit from watching.

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February 16, 2007   No Comments