Great crested grebes were nearly hunted to extinction for their feathers. Their recovery is a conservation success, but modern welfare threats remain significant.
Great crested grebe welfare has recovered dramatically since Victorian persecution but remains threatened by modern pressures. Boat wash from high-speed watercraft can destroy floating nests, causing nest failure and breeding distress. Fishing line entanglement causes painful, slow deaths. Oil pollution from boat engines impairs waterproofing, causing hypothermia. These are preventable welfare harms. Speed limits on breeding waters and fishing tackle recovery programmes directly reduce suffering for this charismatic species.