Named in honour of naturalist Johann Forster, who travelled with Captain James Cook on his second voyage of discovery (1772-75), the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest of all penguins, growing to around a metre tall.
Emperors are endemic to Antarctica, including the Australian Antarctic Territory. They are well adapted to the frigid southem continent and alone among penguins, are capable of breeding during the icy winter. Once regarded as a species of least concern, Emperor Penguins are now classed as near threatened, due to reduction of their food source from commercial fishing and climate change induced loss of sea ice.
Emperors, with their distinctive markings and entertaining demeanour, are prominent in popular culture. The hit 2006 animated movie Happy Feet stars dancing Emperor Penguins.
Coin Highlights:
The first release in the Australian Antarctic Territory Proof Coin series features the Emperor Penguin
