NOVEMBER 12, 2013
Calgary Zoo is calling on penguin experts worldwide for help with a respiratory disease that claimed another of its birds over the weekend.
Houdini, a 14-year-old male Gentoo penguin, was euthanized Sunday after he did not respond to intensive treatment for aspergillosis — a fungal infection that affects a bird's respiratory system.
He is the third penguin at the zoo to succumb to the disease this year.
Zoo head of veterinary services Sandie Black said Calgary was talking to zoos overseas about what they had done to combat aspergillosis, which is a common cause of death among captive penguins.
"We're asking other institutions what disinfectants are you using? What is your cleaning regimen? Is there any clue here to why we're seeing more [cases] in spite of all the steps we've taken over the last few months?"
Seven other penguins showing possible symptoms of aspergillosis had been isolated and will soon start another antifungal treatment program.
The birds were not responding to drug treatment as hoped, Black said, and may have a drug-resistant strain of the disease.
