Osprey populations have recovered dramatically following pesticide bans and nest platform programs, but continue to face welfare challenges from human activities.
Ospreys electrocuted on power lines die from cardiac arrest or may survive with severe burns to feet that prevent hunting, leading to starvation. Fishing line entanglement around feet restricts blood flow and can cause limb loss. Ospreys that lose hunting ability die slowly from starvation - a welfare emergency when birds are rescued in time for rehabilitation. The recovery of osprey populations from near-elimination through DDT and persecution represents a conservation success where welfare of individual birds and population viability aligned. Current welfare threats are largely preventable through power line insulation and fishing line disposal management.