Itโs Earth Month, and you know what that means โ National Geographic is back with another incredible installment of its Secrets Of series!
This time, theyโre taking us deep into the world of penguins โ from emperor penguins braving Antarctica to Galapagos penguins thriving near the equator. Secrets of the Penguins is now streaming on Disney+, and itโs packed with world-first moments you wonโt want to miss!
Two Years. Nine Locations. Endless Penguin Surprises.
Filming Secrets of the Penguins was no easy task.
The Nat Geo team spent over two years traveling to nine locations around the globe. They deployed more than 70 crew members and developed over 14 different camera systems to capture life on land, underwater, and even from the air.
The result? Some of the most stunning and unexpected footage of penguins ever filmed.
World-First Moments You Have to See
Hereโs just a glimpse of what Nat Geo captured:
Emperor Penguin Chicks Take a Leap of Faith
For the first time ever, cameras caught hundreds of emperor penguin chicks base-jumping off a 50-foot ice cliff into the ocean below. Forget slipping off a short sea-ice edge โ these chicks made a bold, breathtaking plunge!
Rockaroni Chicks: A New Evolution?
On the Falkland Islands, the team captured rare mixed-species penguin couples โ Macaroni and Rockhopper penguins pairing up and raising healthy chicks, nicknamed Rockaronis or Machoppers.
Scientists arenโt ready to call it a new species yet, but it could be a hint at evolutionary change.
Emperor Penguins Practicing with Ice Eggs
Another first: during the Antarctic winter, cameras caught emperor penguin pairs passing clumps of ice back and forth as if they were real eggs.
This behavior has never been documented before, and it shows just how deeply rooted parental instincts are โ even without a real egg.
A Rockhopper vs. A Sea Lion
Talk about a David vs. Goliath moment!
In the Falklands, a small rockhopper penguin bravely stood up to a massive Southern Sea Lion, flapping, screaming, and actually scaring the giant predator away. Pure penguin power!
Stream Secrets of the Penguins Now on Disney+
Ready for more jaw-dropping moments?
Secrets of the Penguins is streaming now on Disney+. Watch these world-first discoveries unfold in real time and see how Nat Geoโs incredible team brought these hidden penguin worlds to life.
