Wildlife

Wild Puffin Climate Change Welfare

Atlantic puffins face welfare threats from climate-driven changes in sandeel populations that reduce chick survival and adult condition.

Key Facts

UK puffin colonies breed on cliff tops and offshore islands across Scotland and northern England
Sandeel populations have shifted northward in warmer waters, reducing food availability near colonies
Puffin chick survival has fallen significantly in areas of sandeel decline
Adult puffins undergo an energetically demanding moult at sea after breeding
Puffin colonies at some sites including Fair Isle and Shetland have shown significant declines

Welfare Considerations

Puffin chick starvation causes prolonged suffering before death from dehydration and energy failure. Adult puffins that cannot provision chicks adequately experience the stress of failed breeding seasons repeatedly. The welfare impact of climate change on puffins is inseparable from its conservation impact - addressing food availability through marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries management reduces suffering while protecting populations.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB seabird monitoring and conservation programmes
Advocate for sandeel fisheries management that protects seabird food supplies
Choose sustainably certified fish to reduce fishing pressure on puffin prey species