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Puffins

All articles tagged with #puffins

local24 days ago•34 min saved

Rare Chlamydia abortus linked to puffin deaths at Point Defiance Zoo, officials say

Follow-up results confirm three tufted puffins at Point Defiance Zoo died from a rare avian Chlamydia abortus infection, not avian psittacosis. No additional infected birds have been identified, environmental testing found no bacteria in early August, and public health risk remains low. The zoo is expanding environmental testing and monitoring with the puffin habitat set to reopen only when staff can confirm it's safe.

via komonews.com|

#avianpsittacosis #chlamydiaabortus #environmentaltesting

science1 month ago•16 min saved

Lundy's Rat Elimination Triggers Puffin Comeback and Seabird Boom

Off southwest England, Lundy Island’s invasive rats devastated seabird colonies, with puffins dwindling to 13 breeding pairs by 2000. A 2002 rat-eradication and ongoing biosecurity enabled seabirds to rebound dramatically: puffins rose to about 1,335 individuals and more than 40,000 seabirds now nest on Lundy annually, making it a leading example of island conservation and the importance of keeping rats out.

via The Times of India|

#conservation #lundy-island #puffins

environment2 years ago•3 min saved

Climate Change Spurs Evolution: New Hybrid Puffin Subspecies Emerges

Climate change-driven warming in the Arctic has led to the emergence of a new hybrid subspecies of Atlantic puffins on the Norwegian island of Bjornoya, according to a study published in Science Advances. The hybridization occurred between two subspecies within the past century, coinciding with the onset of faster global warming. Surprisingly, the hybridization occurred after a subspecies migrated southward, not poleward toward cooler temperatures. The study also highlights a significant loss of genetic diversity in the puffin populations, raising concerns about the health of Arctic puffins. The findings underscore the impact of recent years on Arctic communities and the importance of analyzing both modern and historical DNA data.

via Ars Technica|

#arctic #climate-change #environment

animal-conservation3 years ago•7 min saved

Controversy Erupts Over Puffin Tossing Tradition on Iceland's Westman Islands

Locals on Iceland's Westman Islands throw disorientated puffin chicks off cliff edges to help them take flight. Light pollution can confuse the pufflings, causing them to fly inland instead of out to sea. Puffins are a national treasure in Iceland, which has the largest colony in the world, but their numbers have been dwindling.

via Insider|

#animal-conservation #conservation #iceland