Whooper swans winter in the UK from Iceland, and the welfare of these magnificent birds during their stay depends on undisturbed access to feeding areas and freedom from disturbance at roost sites.
Whooper swans lead-poisoned through ingesting lost fishing weights or shot experience progressive neurological deterioration and death over weeks. Disturbance at roost sites forces repeated flight responses that deplete energy reserves essential for the spring return migration to Iceland. Swans in pairs where one individual is injured experience the welfare cost of disrupted pair bonds.