You’ve heard of snail mail. But what about the penguin post office? Located on Goudier Island in Antarctica, Port Lockroy is one of the world’s most remote post offices. It’s also home to about 1,500 gentoo penguins! In November, the birds got new neighbors when four women were hired to work at Port Lockroy.
The new employees will be on the job through March. They will take care of the historic British site, which is also a museum. Their duties include sorting mail, selling stamps, and greeting tourists. They team will also count the penguins, check the nests, and look out for hatchlings.
Working at the penguin post office is not an easy job. For one thing, the weather can be harsh. Although it’s currently summer in Antarctica, temperatures in the area can dip to about -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plus, the team sleeps in bunk beds in a small lodge with barely any electricity. There’s no running water, so the women have to shower on visiting ships. And with no internet service, they have little contact with friends and family. Luckily, the women have some cute critters to keep them company. “Penguins are the best neighbors,” postmaster Clare Ballantyne wrote in a blog post.