Standing about 2.5 feet, the Gentoo is the third largest species of Penguin after Emperor and King. This is the larger nominate race. South of 60 latitude, it is replaced by the smaller P. p. ellsworthii. This is a member of the "brush-tailed" penguin group which have relatively long tails evident in this photo. Up through 2016, this species was considered "near threatened" by the IUCN because of steep declines at some colonies, particularly South Georgia. However recent data suggest populations are largely stable, leading to a reassessment of its status. It is now ranked as "least concern."
