Puffin Conservation and Climate Change Threats

Atlantic puffins face converging threats from climate-driven prey shifts, marine pollution, and predator pressure that are reducing breeding success across their North Atlantic range.

Key Facts

Atlantic puffin populations are declining across much of their range and are listed as Vulnerable
Puffins rely on sand eels and small fish that are shifting distribution with warming waters
Skomer Island in Wales maintains one of the largest puffin colonies in the UK
Puffins burrow into cliff-top turf which is vulnerable to trampling and invasive plant encroachment
RSPB's long-term monitoring reveals declining chick survival correlating with prey availability

Welfare Considerations

Puffin chick welfare during breeding seasons has deteriorated as sand eel availability shifts geographically in response to warming. Chicks inadequately provisioned by parents that cannot find prey close to colonies show reduced growth, immune function, and survival. Adult puffins traveling further to find food experience increased energy expenditure and fatigue. Chronic prey stress at the colony level reduces the welfare of individual birds across every life stage. Climate mitigation represents the most fundamental intervention for puffin welfare.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Audubon Society puffin monitoring and protection programs
Donate to Project Puffin which has successfully restored puffin colonies to Maine islands
Advocate for marine protected areas that protect puffin foraging habitat
Choose sustainable seafood that does not deplete the sand eel populations puffins depend on
Visit puffin colonies through responsible wildlife tourism that supports local conservation organizations