Cause of death in blue penguins (Eudyptula m. minor) in North Otago, New Zealand

Abstract

I necropsied 213 blue penguins (Eudyptula m. minor) collected during 1994 to 1998, mainly from Oamaru Harbour and urban areas, the remainder from sites south to Otago Peninsula. The dominant categories were malnutrition (16%), and cause of death (15%). Where malnutrition was involved, it was usually unclear whether it was the direct cause of death or the consequence of undiagnosed natural disease or infestation. Twenty five per cent of birds died from animal attacks. Aspergillosis was the commonest natural disease (3.3%). Endoparasitism was uncommon (1.3%). This study provides significant evidence of geographic variation in infestation of blue penguins. © 2000 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.