Tick-Borne Disease and Wildlife Welfare

Ticks and the diseases they transmit cause significant welfare harms in wild mammals and birds, with population-level impacts in some species.

Key Facts

Louping ill virus kills up to 80% of red grouse infected in some upland areas
Deer are major tick hosts but suffer less direct disease than smaller mammals
Lyme disease in wildlife has been documented in deer, rodents, and birds
Tick populations are expanding northward with climate change
Acaricide treatment of deer in some studies has improved red grouse welfare

Welfare Considerations

Heavily tick-infested animals experience anaemia from blood loss, skin irritation, and immune system challenge. Young animals with heavy infestations may be killed by anaemia alone. Louping ill causes neurological disease in red grouse including progressive paralysis and death. Tick-borne encephalitis is expanding geographically. Managing tick host populations (deer, rodents) through targeted approaches can reduce tick burden across ecosystems and improve wildlife welfare at landscape scale.

What You Can Do

Support upland habitat management balancing deer numbers and grouse welfare
Advocate for tick monitoring as part of wildlife health surveillance
Check dogs and pets for ticks after countryside walks
Support Lyme disease research in wildlife reservoir species
Learn about tick life cycles and wildlife management options