Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus rehabilitation and husbandry at Santos Municipal Aquarium, Brazil

Published source details de Mendonça Santos N.B., de Carvalho D.M.R., dos Santos Ribeiro A.S.L., Dutra G.H.P., Nascimento C.L., da Silva A.N.E. & Silvestre Martins R. (2019) Magellanic penguin Spheniscus magellanicus rehabilitation and husbandry at Santos Municipal Aquarium, Brazil. International Zoo Yearbook, 53, 270-286.
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Summary

Rehabilitation of injured and treated birds

A study in 2005–2016 in São Paolo State, Brazil (Santos de Mendonça et al. 2019) reported that 36% of Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus taken into a rehabilitation centre were successfully rehabilitated and survived in captivity. Of 131 live penguins received by the rehabilitation centre between 2005 and 2016, forty-seven (36%) were fully rehabilitated and survived until at least June 2016. Seventy birds (54%) died during a 30-day quarantine period. Fourteen birds (11%) died in captivity after the quarantine period. Stranded penguins from the São Paolo coast were rehabilitated then kept in the Santos Municipal Aquarium. Vets assessed the general health of all incoming birds. Most incoming birds had critical health issues (e.g. anaemia, dehydration, hypothermia, oiling); these were treated. Most incoming birds were juveniles. All birds were bathed in chlorhexidine to remove external pathogens, dried with a hairdryer, and fed with fish. Birds were quarantined (with intensive care) for 30 days, then moved to a public display.

Use captive breeding to increase or maintain populations of seabirds

A study in 2005–2018 in São Paolo State, Brazil (Santos de Mendonça et al. 2019) reported that Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus survived for at least 17 years in captivity, and produced three eggs. Mating and nesting behaviour in the captive population was observed “consistently” (not quantified). However, only three individuals hatched: one in 2001 and two in 2017. The bird hatched in 2001 was still alive in 2018. The longest period of survival amongst birds received from the wild was approximately 10 years. Penguins were kept in the Santos Municipal Aquarium, in a 280-m² public aquarium. The aquarium had seawater pools, artificial rocks and caves, and areas of natural sunlight. It was kept at 17–21°C. Regular veterinary care was provided. At least 61 birds were added to the captive population between 2005 and 2016: these had been rehabilitated after stranding on the São Paolo coast. The study does not clearly report whether other birds were added.