WHO?
While on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Atka Bay, Antarctica, filming for an upcoming installment of « The Secrets of… » set to be released next year, cinematographer Bertie Gregory (@BertieGregory), star of the Disney+ series « Close Up with Bertie Gregory, » captured footage of a group of 700 young penguins during their first journey to the ocean. Arriving at the top of a 15-meter cliff, the chicks suddenly leapt into the void. Fortunately, they were unharmed upon landing in the icy waters of Antarctica. This rare and spectacular phenomenon has been observed by scientists before, but it is the first time it has been filmed by a television crew.
WHAT?
Every year in January, a new generation of young penguins leaves their colony and heads towards the ocean for their very first swim, as part of a ritual known as « fledging. » Penguins typically breed and raise their young on the sea ice that forms around the Antarctic continent each winter, which then breaks up in spring. When the chicks lose their first feathers, around the fifth month, they take their first plunge into the ocean, usually jumping from thirty to sixty centimeters. However, with the advent of high-definition satellite imagery, scientists discovered that some colonies breed and raise their chicks on steep ice shelves. Until now, they were unsure how these colonies descended.
WHEN AND WHERE?
In January 2024, in Atka Bay, Antarctica. For two months, Bertie Gregory and the filming team from the British production company Talesmith pitched their tents on the Ekström Ice Shelf to film, enduring temperatures of -20°C, the main penguin colony in the bay. Operating their drones in extreme conditions, they worked until the sea ice began to break up and drift towards the Southern Ocean. A massive storm halted filming until the end of the Antarctic summer.
WHY?
These rare images were captured for a future installment of the « Secrets of… » franchise produced by Talesmith for National Geographic, set to be released next year in celebration of Earth Day (a new episode, « The Secrets of Octopuses, » is coming out this month).
HOW?
Using a new type of drone equipped with a telephoto lens to capture penguin activity without disturbing them, Bertie Gregory and his team pushed the boundaries of polar region filming.
Filming the fledging event came with a series of unique challenges, as this ritual only occurs when the sea ice reaches its breaking point, the most unstable period of the year. Bertie Gregory and his team took all necessary measures to ensure their safety and that of the wildlife.
About National Geographic Content
National Geographic Content is part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. It creates and distributes compelling stories and experiences in the realms of natural history, science, adventure, and exploration. Inspiring a deeper connection with the world, the studio reaches 300 million people in 180 countries and 33 languages through National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, National Geographic WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic documentaries, and Disney+ and Hulu platforms. Its diverse content includes the award-winning Genius franchise, series like « Life Below Zero » and « Secrets of the Whales, » and the Oscar® and BAFTA-winning film « Free Solo. » In 2022, National Geographic Content received eight Emmys for its content, with Life Below Zero winning the Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
