Stranding of Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus in the SE Buenos Aires: assessment of their sanitary status

SECO PON JUAN PABLO; RANA CRISTIAN; PATERLINI CARLA; BEHOTAS TAMARA; GARCÍA GERMÁN OSCAR

Puerto Iguazu

Congreso; Ornithological Congress of the Americas; 2017

Aves Argentinas, Sociedad Brasilera de Ornitología, Association of field ornithologist

The study of blood parameters in birds is commonly used to characterize the nutritional and health status of individuals throughout their life history. This work evaluates the sanitary status of live stranded individuals of Magellanic Penguin during their post reproductive migration along the Buenos Aires coast. Blood samples (n=30) were collected on sandy beaches south of Mar del Plata (Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina) between February and May 2017. Hematological parameters (total erythrocyte and leukocyte count, hematocrit, hemoglobin, leukocyte profile, heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio) and serum biochemistry (glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total proteins, albumin/ globulin ratio, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase, phosphorus and calcium) were determined. Only 30% of the birds were found in good body condition and without abnormalities during the physical examination. More than 70% of the individuals suffered anemia, hypoglycemia, hypoproteinemia and hypocholesterolemia, with an average body mass of 1.743 ± 0.202 kg; indicating the presence of a starvation period. 63% of the individuals showed abnormalities in the number of leukocytes reported. The heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio was 4.67 ± 4.57. Of the total sampled individuals, 90% displayed elevated creatine phosphokinase levels (4080.46 ± 2686.92 IU/ L); indicating clear muscle damage. The knowledge of the sanitary status of the Magellanic penguin during its post-reproductive migration generates important information in order to promote management measures for a species listed as Near Threatened.