Subtitle (35)
0:08This is just one of the many forest
0:11clearings where the penguins come to
0:17With no native land predators, New
0:20Zealand has always offered these
0:21flightless seabirds a sanctuary,
0:25a safe haven for rearing their young.
0:39But there is one big disadvantage to
0:48Thousands of tiny webbed feet turn the
0:51damp ground into a veritable quagmire.
0:58This doesn't just result in a grubby
1:00appearance. It could threaten their
1:06A penguin's feathers are crucial for
1:09waterproofing and insulation out at sea.
1:13If they're clogged with mud, penguins
1:16can't regulate their body temperature
1:18and could die from the cold.
1:23But the snares have found a solution.
1:34It's time for a trip to the penguin
1:47After a thorough rinse, the penguins
1:50spread a very special wax through their
1:57Produced in a gland at the base of the
1:59tail, it creates a waterproof barrier
2:02that insulates and streamlines.
2:09The wax is also antimicrobial,
2:12deterring unwanted germs.
2:17For some penguins, this process can take
2:30But it's a price worth paying for their
