Wildlife

Turtle Dove Conservation and Welfare

Turtle doves have declined over 98% in the UK from hunting, habitat loss, and disease, requiring urgent welfare and conservation action.

Key Facts

UK turtle dove population has declined from 250,000 to under 5,000 in 50 years
They are legally shot in southern Europe during migration
Trichomonosis disease spreads at garden bird feeders
Farmland flower-rich habitat is critical for their seed diet

Welfare Considerations

Turtle doves shot during migration suffer direct welfare harm. Disease outbreaks at bird feeders spread trichomonosis causing fatal crop lesions. Starvation from loss of seed-rich farmland weeds causes nutritional stress during migration preparation. The accumulation of pressures has caused near-extinction-level decline. Each remaining individual's welfare is ecologically significant.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns for hunting bans during migration across southern Europe
Clean bird feeders regularly to prevent trichomonosis spread
Plant seed-producing wildflowers to support farmland bird feeding
Donate to turtle dove recovery programs