Ospreys have made a remarkable recovery in the UK after centuries of extinction, with current populations facing welfare threats from nest disturbance, persecution, and mercury pollution from prey fish.
Osprey welfare post-recovery involves maintaining the conditions that allow natural breeding success. Nest site protection from disturbance is critical: ospreys are sensitive to human presence during incubation and early chick-rearing, and disturbance can cause egg abandonment or chick death. Legal protection of nest sites and prosecution of disturbance prevents this welfare harm. Mercury pollution from fish in contaminated water systems accumulates in ospreys as apex piscivores, causing neurological damage. Clean water policy that reduces mercury inputs to freshwater systems directly protects osprey welfare.