Wildlife

Wildlife Disease Surveillance in the UK

Monitoring and responding to wildlife disease is essential for protecting both wildlife welfare and the health of livestock and humans through a One Health approach.

Key Facts

The Wildlife Disease Surveillance Partnership monitors disease in wild mammals and birds across the UK
Avian influenza (bird flu) outbreaks in wild seabirds have caused massive welfare harm in UK seabird colonies since 2021
Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has caused mortality in gannet, guillemot and skua populations
Bovine tuberculosis in badgers creates a complex wildlife-livestock interface disease problem
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease variants have caused significant population impacts in UK rabbit populations

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife disease causes enormous welfare harm at both individual and population levels. During the 2021-2023 avian influenza outbreaks, millions of wild seabirds died from the disease - a welfare catastrophe largely invisible to the public. Individual wild animals with infectious disease suffer pain, neurological dysfunction and death. Effective surveillance enables earlier detection, faster response and better welfare outcomes through evidence-based management decisions.

What You Can Do

Report dead or sick wild birds and mammals to the APHA Fallen Stock helpline for disease surveillance
Do not touch dead or sick wild birds during periods of avian influenza risk
Support funding for the Wildlife Disease Surveillance Partnership and similar monitoring programmes
Advocate for a One Health approach to disease management that integrates wildlife, livestock and human health
Donate to wildlife veterinary organisations that respond to disease events in wild animal populations