Marine Animals

Wild Puffin Atlantic Population Welfare

Atlantic puffin populations are declining across much of their range due to climate-driven prey change and sea surface temperature warming.

Key Facts

Atlantic puffin populations have declined significantly in Iceland, Norway, and parts of the UK
Warming North Atlantic seas have shifted prey fish distributions
Sandeel and capelin populations are particularly climate-sensitive
Breeding failure in warm years is driven by inability to find suitable prey near colonies
Puffins are currently classified as Vulnerable on the global IUCN Red List

Welfare Considerations

Puffin chicks starving in burrows as parents fail to find adequate prey in warming seas represent a direct welfare harm at escalating scale. Individual chicks die slowly over days in underground burrows when prey fails. Climate action that slows warming and marine protected areas preserving prey fish habitat are the most impactful welfare responses.

What You Can Do

Support urgent climate action protecting North Atlantic marine ecosystems
Donate to seabird conservation organisations monitoring puffin populations
Advocate for marine protected areas encompassing puffin foraging grounds