As spring arrives, the sea ice retreats, and in a few places, Antarctica's coast is exposed to the open sea.
春天降临,海冰就会退缩,南极洲海岸有少数几个地方,能接触到无冰海面。
And that attracts all kinds of animals.
这能引来各式各样的动物。
Having spent the winter at sea, chinstrap penguins can now come ashore to breed.
在海上过冬之后,颊带企鹅现在总算能上岸繁衍。
Soon, the coast becomes extremely crowded.
很快地,海岸就挤得水泄不通。
But there are ways to maintain social distance.
但还是有办法能维持社交距离。
Oh, dear.
天啊。
The chicks, until they're eight weeks old, depend on their parents for food and, critically, warmth.
幼鸟在长到八周大之前,都要仰赖父母提供食物和关乎生死的温暖。
Meltwater is a particular problem.
融水是一大问题。
The chicks' feathers are not yet waterproof.
幼鸟的羽毛还无法防水。
Getting wet could be fatal.
弄湿就可能致命。
A father's duty is to keep his chicks high and dry.
父亲的职责就是帮幼鸟保持干燥。
Using the only building material available. Stones.
使用唯一能取得的建材。石头。
And suitable ones are precious.
而合适的石头更是珍贵难寻。
So it's vital to hold on to every one.
因此每一颗都务必要把握。
But while backs are turned, collections are readily plundered by neighbours.
就在转身背对时,珍贵收藏火速遭到邻居的掠夺。
With thieves like these around that stone has just become even more valuable.
身边有这样的盗贼,让那颗石头变得更加珍贵。
What's lacking in skill... is made up for with persistence.
技能上的不足,就用坚持不懈来弥补。
But a parent's labours could be in vain.
可是父母的辛苦也可能徒劳无功。
Summer temperatures have now been recorded as high as 18 degrees celsius.
现今记录到的夏季气温可高达18摄氏度。
As a result, the penguins' carefully constructed platforms are now being flooded.
结果就是企鹅悉心堆栈的平台正遭到淹没。
There is more meltwater than ever before, and the ground is becoming a quagmire.
融水量是前所未有地多,地面渐渐变成泥淖。
Downy feathers, which are excellent insulation from the cold when dry, are no defence when wet.
在干燥时隔绝寒冷能力优异的羽绒,潮湿时便毫无防御力。
Hypothermia sets in.
失温悄悄来袭。