CALGARY- Two penguins have passed away at the Calgary Zoo, as the animals continue to be ravaged by an infection.
On October 13, a male Humboldt penguin named Eduardo died from Aspergillosis, a fungal infection that affects the respiratory system. He first showed signs of the infection on October 5 and was being treated at the time of his death.
Then on October 14, a three-year-old Gentoo penguin named Akemi died from heart failure, due to avian malaria. The parasite is considered the second biggest killer of penguins in captivity. Zoo keepers say her death is similar to two other recent deaths.
“Like the two Humboldt penguins we lost in August, Akemi became ill suddenly and died within a very short period of time – less than 48 hours,” explains Dr. Doug Whiteside, senior staff veterinarian. “However, she is the first penguin where we have been able to demonstrate the parasite in red blood cells.”
The rest of the penguins are now being treated for Aspergillus and avian malaria.
“We have the entire flock right now on a preventative treatment for aspergillosis and we will be continuing our blood survey on the other penguins that are outdoors to make sure that they don’t have any evidence of malaria,” explains Whitehead, adding the diseases have nothing to do with the fact that the penguins live at a zoo.
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“It doesn’t make us concerned about having penguins, because it is a disease that we see in both captive and wild populations. But certainly anytime we have an outbreak like this or even just one case, we increase our vigilance in terms of monitoring flock health, doing extra diagnostic tests and taking appropriate treatment measures where necessary.”
Two penguins also died in August after battling infections, and one named Asa died of airsacculitis in February. Another Gentoo penguin named Fiona died in December 2012, after undergoing surgery to remove a stick that she’d swallowed.
The popular Penguin Plunge exhibit opened in February 2012.
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