White storks nested in Britain until the 15th century. Reintroduction efforts are bringing them back, with careful attention to the welfare of birds adjusting to a new landscape.
White stork reintroduction welfare centres on supporting birds through the period of establishment in unfamiliar territory. Young released storks must learn to find food, avoid hazards like overhead power lines, and decide whether to migrate or overwinter. Satellite tracking allows welfare monitoring but reveals genuine welfare risks including collisions with power infrastructure. The decision to supplement-feed reintroduced storks to maintain body condition during establishment improves welfare at the cost of some wildness. Long-term welfare improves as birds learn the landscape.