Image courtesy of Getty
With all eyes expected to be on the television this Sunday evening, we take a closer look at the wonderful new BBC series Dynasties, and how the University of Plymouth could inspire you to get involved with wildlife.
"The Emperor penguin colony has to battle to survive the cruellest winter on earth – and can only do so through teamwork. Four thousand male penguins join forces in a huddle that creates a giant incubator for their eggs. After two months the eggs hatch and the females return to relieve the starving males and feed the new chick. The parents then take it in turns to go and feed and bring back food for their young. And eventually, the chicks are old enough to adopt their father’s survival strategy – by forming their own mini huddles when blizzards threaten to freeze them."
The next episode of Dynasties on will be shown on BBC1, 8pm, on Sunday 25 November.
Scientific name: Aptenodytes forsteri
Group: Bird
Family: Spheniscidae
Ancestors: Waimanu
Average size: 1.2 metres tall
Average weight: 30–40kg
Average life span: 15–20 years
Diet: Fish, krill, squid
Habitat: Antarctic ice-sheets. Emperor penguins are only found in the Antarctic, which is a challenging climate to live in. Temperatures can drop to -50°C and the winds reach speeds of 200km/hr.
Those magical scenes we enjoy each week, and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes, may not be out of your reach with the University of Plymouth.
We guide you along the way and inspire your future by giving you the chance to explore wildlife in fascinating locations through placements and international study, the opportunity to take part in rehabilitation, to discover the evolution of animal behaviour and much more.
Danielle Farah – BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare graduate
"The two most exciting parts of my career to date have been working in South Africa rehabilitating wild African seabirds and working in Dubai with King and Gentoo penguins."
Lianne's dream placement to China inspired her to save moon bears held in captivity and after graduating from Plymouth, she began working in the UK offices of Animals Asia in 2017 as a Senior Supporter Care Executive.
“Find something you love and pursue it. This is what I did. My passion for animals as a child grew into a fulfilling career that allows me to help rescued bears.”
Coral Jonas – MSc Zoo Conservation Biology graduate
“I applied for the course at Plymouth because of the practical aspect of it. The modules were adaptable to my work situation and enhanced my understanding of the job I was already doing.”
Since graduating, Coral has gone on to work for Dartmoor Zoo as Head of Discovery and Learning.
For more information about Animal Behaviour and Welfare, please visit the BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare course page.
Find out more about our range of courses within the School of Biological and Marine Sciences, please visit the school page.
If you would like to find out what other alumni are currently doing, please visit the biological, health, chemical and agricultural sciences interest area.
The BSc (Hons) Ocean Science and Marine Conservation course is one of a suite of three specialist BSc courses and one MSci in the marine science undergraduate scheme. The scheme allows flexibility and transfer between course up until the end of Year 2.
The marine science undergraduate scheme consists of:
We offer a focused creative media course in which you produce both factual and fictional content.
