Wildlife Welfare

Wild Duck Welfare and Lead Shot

Lead shot from waterfowl hunting causes secondary poisoning in waterbirds and accumulates in waterway sediments with widespread welfare impacts.

Key Facts

Lead poisoning from ingested shot kills over 1 million waterfowl annually in the USA
Swans and ducks ingest spent lead shot while foraging in sediment
Lead causes progressive neurological damage before death in affected birds
Non-toxic alternatives including steel, bismuth, and tungsten shot are widely available
The EU has banned lead shot in wetlands from 2023 with some phase-in periods

Welfare Considerations

Lead-poisoned waterfowl die slowly from progressive neurological damage - a preventable form of suffering caused by a readily available alternative to lead ammunition. Transition to non-toxic shot protects individual bird welfare and ecosystem health simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Use only non-toxic shot when hunting near water bodies
Advocate for complete lead shot bans in wetland areas
Support waterfowl conservation organizations that address lead poisoning