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Falklands Conservation |
Cause of Penguin Deaths Proven
The spate of deaths which occurred around the Falkland Islands during December 2002 to February 2003 has now been proven to be the result of algal poisoning.
Red Algal Bloom in Queen Charlotte Bay, December 2002.
Results have now been received from the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Field Veterinary Programme. Following the collection of samples by Falklands Conservation and WCS vets visiting the Islands at the time, analysis has shown positive results for toxins from the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PAP) group. Analyses were conducted at the Instituto de Fomento Pesquero, Punta Arenas, Chile, and were tested using a method known as high performance liquid chromatography. In total 11 penguins were sampled, of which 5 showed positive results. Some of the tissue samples tested actually contained toxin levels above those considered toxic for humans, in particular those tissues from the intestines, stomachs and stomach contents of the birds.
The positive results were all obtained from Gentoo penguins.
Gentoo Penguin killed by poisoning, Fox Box
These birds came from Steeple Jason, Sea Lion, New and Saunders Islands, leaving little doubt that it was a widespread case of poisoning affecting most birds around the Falkland Islands last summer and that those birds found with clinical signs were certainly suffering from poisoning at the time of sampling.
There have been some isolated reports of sick and dying penguins from the Queen Charlotte Bay area this year, but this appears to be at a very low level and not a reason for serious concern at this stage.
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Patron: HRH The Duke of York CVO ADC Member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature | BirdLife International Representative |