In Iceland, people are throwing baby puffins from cliffs but there is a reason. The little ones can't take flight on their own, being that their eggs are hatched at the top of cliffs. Cheddar News breaks down the annual ritual of puffling patrol of Iceland that since has gone viral.

In Iceland, people are throwing baby puffins from cliffs but there is a reason. The little ones can't take flight on their own, being that their eggs are hatched at the top of cliffs. Cheddar News breaks down the annual ritual of puffin patrol of Iceland that since has gone viral.

Today Explained: It's Puffling Season in Iceland

and it's time for today explained where we break down some of the biggest stories in the news, how we got here, where we go next. You might have seen videos of people throwing baby puffins off of cliffs in Iceland. Why it's called puff ling season And it's actually a very common practice in the nordic country. You don't believe me take a look. I rescued a puff feeling when he crashed on land. It's a baby puffin and he can't take off on his own. He needs to go to the issues. So I'll return him. Here's my little guy. He's ready to go. 1, 2, Bye buddy. I miss him already. Okay, this might sound dangerous, but actually tossing these little guys into the ocean can save their lives. Every year Between May and august puffins come up to shore to lay their eggs on high sea cliffs. As the puff wings mature, they venture out of their burrows and get ready to head back to see. But the babies will often confuse city lights for the moon since they follow the moon's light for guidance into the ocean. This can lead to puff wings getting stranded in the city of Iceland or even getting killed by cars are so cute. So the people of Iceland adopted a new tradition puffin patrol. It's become a yearly ritual saving the lives of these beloved birds. The locals go out at night between nine PM and three AM with flashlights and cardboard boxes to catch their puff wings. Even the puffin swimming in the harbor have to be caught carefully with nets, boat oil in the harbor can weigh their wings down and even cause them to drown. The next morning, volunteers bring the boxes of puffins to the edge of the cliffs and gently toss them into the air, where they instinctively start flying and eventually find their way into the ocean. Look at all those cool videos. They stay there for the next 3-4 For years until the whole process starts all over again. And fun fact, 60% of the world's Atlantic puffin population resides in Iceland. So if you want to take part in this adorable tradition, you'll probably have to make your way up north. I'm totally down for that.