Story highlights 150,000 penguins have died after an iceberg ran aground in Antarctica

The massive iceberg collided into the bay in 2010

(CNN) About 150,000 penguins have died since being stranded by a vast iceberg that became lodged off the coast of Antarctica six years ago, according to the journal Antarctic Science.

Combined with expanding ice, the B09B iceberg, which at 1,120 square miles is almost the size of Rhode Island, has cut off the Adelie penguins' food supply and changed the landscape of their home, according to a February report in the peer-reviewed journal published by Cambridge University Press

The towering mass of water ice first ran aground into the penguins' habitat of Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay in 2010. Before that it was floating along the coast for nearly 20 years before colliding into the bay. The iceberg essentially has landlocked the penguins, forcing the animals to trek across a desolate stretch of nearly 40 miles to find food.

Photos: Penguin Awareness –



Ben Adkison is a freelance photographer based in Montana. His photos from remote corners of the world can be found on Around the globe, penguins are at risk of extinction due to overfishing and man-made changes to their breeding grounds.Ben Adkison is a freelance photographer based in Montana. His photos from remote corners of the world can be found on Facebook and his website Hide Caption 1 of 13 Photos: Emperor penguins – There are 17 species of penguin, with emperor penguins being the largest. They weigh up to 45 kilos (100 pounds) and grow to 120 centimeters (48 inches) tall. These three are pictured on sea ice at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica. Hide Caption 2 of 13 Photos: Where to spot them – Emperors can be seen along the coast of Antarctica. Breeding colonies are often the destination for cruises and scenic flights. Penguin species can also be spotted in South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Hide Caption 3 of 13 Photos: Climate change – As with most polar species, penguins are feeling the effects of climate change. Ice melt is changing their breeding grounds and overfishing and ocean acidification is affecting their food sources of fish, squid and krill. Hide Caption 4 of 13 Photos: That waddle – Emperors have an awkward, waddling gait on land, but are graceful in the water. These birds can dive more than 550 meters (1,800 feet) and stay under for up to 20 minutes. Hide Caption 5 of 13 Photos: Adelie penguins – Less than half the size of an emperor penguin, Adelie penguins are one of the smallest of the Antarctic penguin species. Each October, they build nests of rocks on land near open water. Hide Caption 6 of 13 Photos: Strength in numbers – Adelies are one of the most abundant of the penguin species. They can be found in large colonies and on icebergs and coastal areas in Antarctica waters. Hide Caption 7 of 13 Photos: Reduced habitat – Adelie penguins face the same climate change dangers as emperors, such as reduced habitat and a diminishing food supply. However, due to their larger population, they're currently less at risk. Hide Caption 8 of 13 Photos: South polar skua – The south polar skua is the Adelie's only land predator. It will attempt to steal penguin eggs and attack young chicks. Penguins work together to fight off the vicious skuas. Hide Caption 9 of 13 Photos: African penguin – The warmer climes of coastal South Africa and Namibia are home to the African or jackass penguin. Boulders Beach near Cape Town, South Africa, is a popular destination for penguin spotting. Hide Caption 10 of 13 Photos: Homebodies – Unlike the highly mobile penguins in Antarctica, African penguins breed, nest and feed in the same area instead of traveling hundreds of miles between sites. They build nests under boulders or bushes or burrows dug from their own guano. Hide Caption 11 of 13 Photos: Endangered species – African penguins are listed as an endangered species. Their decreasing population is spurred by loss of nesting grounds due to guano removal by humans, as well as a decreasing food supply as a result of overfishing. Hide Caption 12 of 13 Photos: Little penguins – The little penguin, also known as the fairy or blue penguin, can be found on the coasts of New Zealand and southern Australia. They're the smallest of all penguins, weighing just a kilo or two and topping out at just over 30 centimeters tall. Hide Caption 13 of 13

The once 160,000-strong colony has now dwindled to 10,000 penguins.

"The arrival of iceberg B09B in Commonwealth Bay, East Antarctica... has dramatically increased the distance Adélie penguins breeding at Cape Denison must travel in search of food," said researchers in the report.

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