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11 March 2022 RETROSPECTIVE MORTALITY REVIEW OF TUFTED PUFFINS (FRATERCULA CIRRHATA) AT A SINGLE INSTITUTION (1982–2017)
Jessica Heinz, Kadie Anderson, Karen Wolf
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Abstract

Tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) are commonly exhibited in zoologic institutions across the world, yet there is a paucity of information on causes of mortality in managed populations. This retrospective review reports the pathologic findings associated with 91 tufted puffins at a single institution over 35 years from 1982 to 2017. Common pathologic findings were evaluated by age at death, sex, year, and season. With the exception of neonates, the leading pathologic finding across all age classes was aspergillosis, particularly in adults. Hemoparasitism, predation, and trauma were also frequent causes of mortality. Neonatal mortality was common and primarily caused by omphalitis, yolk sac disease, and bacterial septicemia, with most cultures revealing Escherichia coli. This study also provides documentation of mortality in tufted puffins secondary to avian pox and suspected toxoplasmosis. Understanding morbidity and mortality trends within a population allows institutions to form management plans and implement practices to improve outcomes and survival.

Copyright 2022 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Jessica Heinz, Kadie Anderson, and Karen Wolf "RETROSPECTIVE MORTALITY REVIEW OF TUFTED PUFFINS (FRATERCULA CIRRHATA) AT A SINGLE INSTITUTION (1982–2017)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 53(1), 11-18, (11 March 2022). https://doi.org/10.1638/2019-0081
Accepted: 27 September 2021; Published: 11 March 2022
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