At Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT), we're always inspired by how our partners use our devices in the field—and few applications are more compelling than tracking penguins in the Antarctic. We recently had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Grant Ballard, Chief Science Officer at Point Blue Conservation Science, about how their team is using our Penguin Trackers to better understand and protect Adélie penguins.
Science That Scales: Point Blue's Mission
Founded in 1965, Point Blue Conservation Science is committed to addressing some of the planet’s most urgent environmental issues—climate change, biodiversity loss, and habitat degradation—through collaborative, data-driven science. Their projects span marine protected area monitoring to terrestrial ecosystem restoration, all built on the foundation of long-term datasets, cutting-edge tech, and meaningful community engagement.
Why Penguins?
Dr. Ballard has been working with penguins since 1996. What drew him in? "They're charismatic indicators of environmental change," he shared. "Plus, they're tame and approachable, which makes them ideal research subjects." Their predictability on land contrasts with their elusive underwater behavior—exactly where our Penguin Trackers make a difference.
“Penguins are iconic indicators of environmental change—relatively easy to study on land, but the real story begins when biologgers enable us to follow them into the ocean."
Next-Gen Data from the Ice
The latest generation of Penguin Trackers used by Point Blue are optimized for long-term deployments—often in places where retrieval isn’t feasible. These solar-powered devices continuously record and transmit a wealth of data: 1 Hz high-resolution diving profiles, GPS-based location fixes, temperature readings, and activity metrics.
Compared to other tags, the volume and frequency of data these tags provide is transformational. “These tags have significantly improved our ability to understand penguin behavior, foraging patterns, and how they're responding to their environment,” says Dr. Ballard.
Designing for the Animal—and the Planet
Unlike Argos satellite tags, CTT's Iridium-based tags eliminate the need for bulky external antennas, reducing drag and improving hydrodynamics—critical for long-term marine deployments. Dr. Ballard adds, "The Iridium modem board is larger than Argos’, and that can limit miniaturization."
He's also thinking beyond performance. As non-retrievable tags become more common, the materials they’re made from matter more than ever. "Reducing toxicity and increasing biodegradability would be a major step forward," he added. That’s something our team at CTT is actively exploring—because responsible science shouldn’t leave a harmful footprint.
Why Adélie Penguins Matter
Adélie penguins aren’t just adorable—they’re ecosystem sentinels. Through tracking studies, researchers pinpoint key foraging grounds, molting sites, and migration routes. This kind of data directly informs conservation strategies in the rapidly changing Antarctic.
But there’s urgency. Dr. Ballard warns that shrinking sea ice poses an unprecedented threat to Adélie survival. “They’ve evolved to rely on sea ice for molting and foraging. Rapid environmental changes may outpace their ability to adapt,” he explains.
“Penguin-borne tags are a cost-effective, powerful complement to ship and glider data—giving us unprecedented access to remote ecosystems.”
The Hidden Lives of Juveniles
While we’ve learned a lot about adult Adélies, much remains unknown about juvenile penguins. "They disappear for years after fledging—we don't know where they go or what habitats are most critical for survival,” says Dr. Ballard. “Longer-duration tracking technology could finally help answer these questions.”
It’s a frontier CTT is eager to help explore. Our current record deployment duration is nine months, but we’re innovating to go further—pushing the limits of durability, data resolution, and environmental responsibility.
A Lesser-Known Molting Mystery
One fascinating detail? Adélie penguins undergo a “catastrophic” molt every year, losing all their feathers—and nearly half their body weight—in under three weeks. Most molt on sea ice, far from breeding colonies, relying on rich food resources before and after. But that strategy is becoming increasingly risky as sea ice habitats vanish. Dr. Ballard’s team has identified these molting habitats as potential bottlenecks for survival—a discovery that underscores the urgent need for conservation action.
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A Shared Commitment to Science
We’re incredibly grateful to Dr. Ballard, Dr. Annie Schmidt, and the entire Team at Point Blue for their dedication and insight. Collaborations like this push us to keep improving—whether it’s shrinking tag size, extending battery life, or adapting firmware and hardware to meet the requirements of the science community.
Want to know more about Point Blue’s incredible work? Visit pointblue.org.
If you're using our technology in the field, we’d love to hear your story too. Reach out to us at marketing@celltracktech.com to be featured in a future spotlight.
Together, we’re tracking more than animals—we're tracking the future of conservation science.
All images used throughout this story are courtesy of Dr. Annie Schmidt (Point Blue), and the track of penguin movements is courtesy of Dr. Grant Ballard.