Wildlife

Wild Puffin Ocean Warming Welfare

Atlantic puffins face welfare challenges from ocean warming that reduces sand eel prey availability, causing breeding failure and increased adult mortality as birds travel further for food.

Key Facts

UK puffin populations declined 30% between 2000 and 2020 at several major colonies
Sand eels require cold productive waters and are declining as sea temperatures rise
Puffin chicks starve when parents cannot find sand eels close enough to the colony
Puffins are subject to fishing bycatch, light pollution, and oil spills on wintering grounds
Skomer Island in Wales holds one of the largest and most stable UK puffin colonies

Welfare Considerations

Ocean warming is reducing puffin food supply causing chick starvation and adult stress. Climate action is the ultimate welfare intervention for ocean-dependent species.

What You Can Do

Support climate action to slow ocean warming that drives sand eel decline
Donate to seabird monitoring organisations tracking puffin population trends
Report puffin strandings or sick birds to wildlife rescue organisations
Celebrate and share puffin conservation stories to build public support for ocean protection