Wetland Conservation and Waterbird Welfare

Wetlands support enormous diversity of waterbirds and other wildlife, but drainage, pollution, and climate change are degrading these critical habitats and the welfare of species that depend on them.

Key Facts

Wetlands cover about 6 percent of the Earth's surface but support 40 percent of all species
Over 35 percent of the world's wetlands have been lost since 1970
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands designates internationally important wetland sites for conservation
Wetland birds including ducks, herons, bitterns, and wading birds have declined sharply across Europe
Lead poisoning from spent shot kills millions of waterfowl annually after ingesting lead pellets
Restoring degraded wetlands benefits waterbirds, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates across entire ecosystems

Welfare Considerations

Wetland loss forces waterbirds into marginal habitats where food is scarcer and predation risk is higher. Lead poisoning from spent shot causes slow, painful death in millions of swans, ducks, and other waterbirds annually. Advocates should push for lead shot bans in wetland areas and support wetland restoration projects that directly improve conditions for huge numbers of birds and other wildlife.

What You Can Do

Support the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and similar organisations working on wetland conservation
Advocate for complete bans on lead shot in wetland and shooting areas
Donate to wetland restoration projects through conservation charities
Engage with Ramsar designation processes for important wetlands in your region
Visit wetland nature reserves to support their visitor income and raise your awareness