Download Penguin mass mortality events: solving puzzles in the field

ORAL ABSTRACT
Penguin mass mortality events: solving puzzles in the field
Ralph Eric Thijl Vanstreels1, Renata Hurtado2, Nola J. Parsons3, Patricia P. Serafini4, Marcela M. Uhart5,
Pierre A. Pistorius6, Ursula Ellenberg7, José Luiz Catão-Dias8
1
Laboratory of Wildlife Comparative Pathology (LAPCOM), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São
Paulo, Brazil, 2Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals (IPRAM), Cariacica, Brazil, 3Southern African
Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), Cape Town, South Africa, 4National Center for Research
and Conservation of Wild Birds (CEMAVE), Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio),
Florianópolis, Brazil, 5Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, United
States, 6Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 7Department
of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia, 8Laboratory of Wildlife
Comparative Pathology (LAPCOM), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Mass mortality events affecting hundreds to thousands of penguins have been reported. Carcasses are
typically found at breeding colonies or washed ashore. Because these events are sporadic and often
witnessed by researchers/personnel unprepared to collect data and samples for diagnostic analysis, the
cause/s of penguin mass mortality events often remains unknown. Mass mortality events can result from a
number of infectious and non-infectious causes, including: avian pox (Avipoxvirus), Newcastle Disease
(Newcastle disease virus), infectious laryngotracheitis (Penguin herpesvirus 1), avian cholera (Pasteurella
multocida), blood parasites (Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium), diseases of unknown aetiology (puffinosis-like
disease, diphtheric stomatitis, penguin chick feather-loss disorder), starvation, drowning (entanglement in
fishing gear), trauma (humans, domestic animals, predators, etc.), intoxication (toxic algal blooms,
poisoning), oil spills, extreme weather events (storms, avalanches, mudflows, etc.), among others. In this
presentation we will provide an overview of known penguin mass mortality events. We will demonstrate
how detailed and systematic recording of the characteristics of a mass mortality event can contribute to
the identification of its underlying causes. Recommendations will be provided on how researchers and
conservationists can prepare to collect data and biological samples crucial for identifying the causes of a
mass mortality event should they witness one in the field. Finally, we will discuss the precautions necessary
to protect field teams from zoonoses (animal transmitted diseases) and to prevent investigation activities
from inadvertently spreading pathogens.
9th International Penguin Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, 5th – 9th September 2016