King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are a circumpolar sub-Antarctic species inhabiting most of the major sub-Antarctic island chains of the Southern Ocean, the Falkland Islands, and regions of Patagonia. Despite early suggestions to the contrary, there is no conclusive historical evidence of King penguin inhabitation of the Antarctic Peninsula or the South Shetland Islands until the past decade. After a near-complete survey of Elephant Island, we report widespread presence of this species, including documented incubation at one site and molting at another. While we found no evidence of King penguins successfully fledging a chick at any of the sites where individuals were found, their presence across numerous sites suggests the potential for future range expansion in response to warming conditions.

中文翻译：

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象岛上王企鹅（Aptenodytes patagonicus）的存在提供了范围扩大的进一步证据

王企鹅（Aptenodytes patagonicus）是一种环极亚南极物种，栖息在南大洋、福克兰群岛和巴塔哥尼亚地区的大部分主要亚南极岛链中。尽管早期有相反的建议，但直到过去十年，南极半岛或南设得兰群岛还没有王企鹅栖息的确凿历史证据。在对象岛进行近乎完整的调查后，我们报告了该物种的广泛存在，包括记录在一个地点孵化和在另一个地点蜕皮。虽然我们没有发现王企鹅在任何发现个体的地点成功孵出小企鹅的证据，但它们在众多地点的存在表明未来可能因气候变暖而扩大范围。