Mortalität bei Humboldtpinguinen (Spheniscus humboldti Meyen, 1834) im Zoo Dresden – ein multifaktorielles Geschehen?

Within a four-year period, 42 Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti Meyen, 1834) kept at Zoo Dresden died from infections with different opportunistic bacterial and fungal pathogens. Despite rigorous search for underlying causes, including post mortem examinations, sample collection from living penguins and thorough inspection of the artificial environment inhabited by the birds, no single causative factor could be identified to be responsible for the highly increased mortality. Instead, the authors assume a multifactorial background. Contributing factors might include primary or predisposing infectious agents, toxic substances, stress, pool water and air quality as well as hygienic aspects like handling and preparation of fish.