Wild Puffin Colony Climate Vulnerability

Atlantic puffins are facing major welfare challenges from climate change, which disrupts the fish prey they depend on to feed their chicks.

Key Facts

Puffin chicks require specific fish sizes — primarily sand eels — that are shifting distribution with warming seas
Sand eel populations have collapsed in some UK and Norwegian breeding areas due to temperature-driven plankton shifts
Chick survival rates correlate strongly with sand eel availability in the weeks before fledging
Adult puffins may fly over 100 km to find adequate food during poor years, increasing energy expenditure
Climate projections suggest core puffin breeding habitat will shift northward as seas warm
Puffins are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with European populations declining sharply
Colony productivity can drop to near zero in years of prey shortage, with many chicks starving

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of wild puffin chicks is directly threatened by climate change disrupting their food supply. Chicks that starve slowly over days represent significant suffering at scale. Adult puffins also experience welfare impacts from extended foraging flights and repeated failed breeding attempts. Protecting puffin welfare requires addressing the root cause — ocean warming — while also managing local stressors like bycatch, light pollution at colonies, and introduced predators on breeding islands.

What You Can Do

Support marine protected areas that conserve sand eel habitat and restrict damaging fishing practices
Contribute to climate action through reduced emissions and political advocacy
Support organizations monitoring puffin colonies and advocating for sea temperature policy
Avoid single-use plastics that enter the ocean and affect fish populations
Participate in citizen science projects monitoring seabird breeding success