For some reason a Gentoo Penguin and its chick became isolated from the colony and it wasn’t long before a Brown Skua found themThe Brown Skua tried to aggressively force the adult penguin away from its chickThe Gentoo Penguin stands firm, warning off the Brown SkuaUnfortunately this doesn’t deter the Brown Skua and it persistsThe Brown Skua switches technique, opting to hop side to side over the Gentoo Penguin in order to move it and create space to take the chickThe Gentoo continues to sit tight over its chickThe Skua calls in for help from its mate who duly arrives
One Skua continues to hop over the adultĀ Gentoo and lure it away from its chick, whilst the other Skua sits waiting for an openingThe Skuas persist alternating the hopping tactics between the Gentoo and chickThe Gentoo stands strong over his chick, fending off the Skuas’ attacks.The Gentoo’s bill is a powerful form of defence which has the potential to severely injure the Skuas
Eventually, the Skuas’ patience pays off and a gap opens which one of the pair is quick to exploitBut the Gentoo is quick to react and turns to save his chickFortunately, the Gentoo managed to make a last gasp grab of the Skua, making him drop the chick and injuring the Skua’s leg. The sorry Skua limps back to its chicks empty-handed, whilst the Gentoo chick lives on to fight another day.