Save the Penguins!

Learning what factors are causing abnormal molts in African penguins can help to save their lives!

Research background information:

The family Spheniscidae, or more commonly known as penguins, are flightless marine birds that spend a majority of the year at sea, coming ashore to nest and molt. Because penguins are dependent on the ocean, factors such as climate change, pollution, hunting, and oil spills have led to the decline of most of the 18 species of penguins (AZA Penguin TAG, 2014). In particular, the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) population has dramatically declined by over 70% in the past eleven years (Pichegru et al., 2013). In 2010, the African penguin was placed on the endangered species list (BirdLife International, 2012). An important life history event for penguins is that of an annual molt, which restores healthy plumage for proper thermoregulation and waterproofing. This catastrophic molt, during which time the penguin will replace the entirety of its plumage, takes place over an average of 17 days (AZA Penguin TAG, 2005).

The failure to properly molt leaves the penguin vulnerable to hypothermia due to the lack of efficient thermoregulation. The penguin is also vulnerable to wasting away. This can be due to the animal’s inability to swim and therefore obtain its primary food source of fish. The penguin could also face the increased energy demands associated with shivering in order to maintain homeothermy, or a stable internal body temperature. An incomplete or protracted molt thus can prove devastating to a penguin’s livelihood. On average, 1.7 ± 0.2% of African penguins rescued and rehabilitated in the Western Cape of South Africa by The South African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) molt abnormally. Abnormal molts include deteriorated and discolored feathers or interrupted molting in which the molt takes place over months instead of the average 17 days. An average of 49.7 ± 8.1% of the birds that molted abnormally died within the year with mortality ustin 2 rates as high as 100% in some years.

If the cause(s) behind the abnormal molting of Spheniscus demersus can be determined, then proper advisement can be made to veterinary and penguin care teams regarding preventive care and treatment. The proposed project stems from research currently being conducted at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut by Dr. Paul Anderson.