Optimal conditions for breeding of captive humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti): A survey of British zoos
Abstract
We surveyed 16 British zoos and bird gardens to assess the optimal conditions for breeding of captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). We obtained information on population, enclosure, and husbandry characteristics and related these variables to three measures of per capita breeding success, namely, per capita egg productivity, chick productivity, and hatching success (measured as the proportion of eggs laid that hatched). All three fitness measures increased with an increasing number of breeding pairs and total population size but were not related to population density. Once the effect of number of breeding pairs was removed statistically, chick productivity was found to be highest when nesting boxes were lined with sand and gravel instead of alternative substrata such as twigs or vegetation. Hatching success increased with increasing pool size and was highest in enclosures with concrete floors. Adult mortality in zoos was generally low and appeared related to the use of chlorine in freshwater pools and to the presence of other penguin species in Humboldt penguin displays. Several enclosure and husbandry parameters were not variable enough to assess their impact on reproduction of captive Humboldt penguins. Recommendations for optimising conditions for captive breeding of Humboldt penguins include keeping as large a population as possible in a concrete enclosure with a large pool area, while providing sand and gravel as nesting material. Bird density may be importan…
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Data were combined with published data following confirmation that methods used were equivalent.
“These data were also combined with published data (Blay and Cote, 2001), following confirmation that methods used were equivalent (N. Blay, pers. comm.).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
Despite the observed lack of relationship between pool size and breeding success, a large pool may also encourage development of reproductive behaviors in juveniles.
“Despite our observed lack of relationship between pool size and breeding success, a large pool may also encourage development of reproductive behaviors in juveniles (Blay and Cote, 2001).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
The results provide weak support for the previously observed influence of chlorinated water on breeding success.
“Among the husbandry measures, our results provide weak support for the previously observed influence of chlorinated water on breeding success (Blay and Cote, 2001).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
Use of chlorine has been associated with increased mortality in S. humboldti.
“Use of chlorine has also been associated with increased mortality in S. humboldti (Blay and Cote, 2001), and stereotypic behavior in other animals (Carlstead et al., 1999).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
The only published study into S. humboldti enclosure design assessed effects of enclosure parameters and demography on breeding success using questionnaire data.
“The only published study into S. humboldti enclosure design assessed the effects of enclosure parameters and demography on breeding success using questionnaire data (Blay and Cote, 2001).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
Breeding success is most affected by group composition variables rather than enclosure parameters.
“Our observation that breeding success is most affected by group composition variables rather than enclosure parameters, supports previous work (Blay and Cote, 2001) and reflects the high degree of sociality expressed by S. humboldti (Duffy, 1983).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
Pool volume, concrete substrates and number of breeding pairs had significant positive effects on breeding success.
“Pool volume, concrete substrates and the number of breeding pairs had significant positive effects on breeding success.”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
There is a GLM relationship between number of breeding pairs and chick productivity and egg productivity, using data from the present study and published literature.
“Figure 2: GLM relationship between the number of breeding pairs versus (a) chick productivity (chicks egg-1 year-1; P=0.003, AIC=8.5, %D=32.3, and (b) egg productivity (eggs penguin-1 year-1; P=0.0088, AIC=19.1, %D=26.3), using data from the present study (black dots) and the published literature (white dots; Blay and Cote, 2001).”
From Husbandry and enclosure influences on penguin behavior and conservation breeding (2016) · cites this paper as Blay and Cote, 2001
Hatching success for Humboldt penguins increased with greater pool size in a survey of British zoos.
“hatching success for Humboldt penguins increased with greater pool size in a survey of British zoos [22].”
From The Benefits of Increased Space and Habitat Complexity for the Welfare of Zoo-Housed King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) (2023) · cites this paper as [22]
Pool use may indicate a better welfare state for captive penguins.
“Pool use may indicate a better welfare state for captive penguins.”
From The Benefits of Increased Space and Habitat Complexity for the Welfare of Zoo-Housed King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) (2023) · cites this paper as [22]
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References 11 · Cited by 31
- Authors
- Blay, N., & Côté, I. M.
- Affiliations
- University of East Anglia (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Côté, Isabelle M.
- ORCID
- Côté, Isabelle M.
- Venue
- Zoo Biology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-12
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 545-555
- ISSN
- 0733-3188 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-2361
- OpenAlex
- W2142382698
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Zoo Biology (publishedVersion)
- UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- McGill University
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Avian ecology and behavior
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Keywords
- Humboldt penguin, captive breeding, zoo animal husbandry, breeding success, hatching success, egg productivity, nesting substrate, enclosure design, concrete floors, pool size, adult mortality, population density
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