Wild Avian Influenza Wild Bird Welfare Response

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has profound welfare impacts on wild bird populations - the response must balance individual and population welfare.

Key Facts

H5N1 HPAI caused mass mortality events in wild birds across Europe, North America, and globally from 2021
Affected species include gannets, skuas, barnacle geese, and numerous other species
Wild bird transmission occurs primarily between migratory waterfowl and sea birds
Legal restrictions on movement of poultry exist but wild birds cannot be controlled or vaccinated at scale
The RSPB and BTO monitor wild bird mortality and population impacts
Some rare breeding colonies including great skua on Shetland suffered catastrophic losses

Welfare Considerations

Wild bird HPAI welfare requires both immediate individual welfare responses and longer-term population conservation thinking. Individual sick birds can receive euthanasia if welfare allows safe approach. Population-level responses focus on monitoring impacts and supporting recovery when outbreaks subside. Vaccination of wild birds remains technically challenging but is being researched.

What You Can Do

Report dead or sick wild birds to APHA on 03000 200 301 - do not handle them
Support BTO and RSPB monitoring programmes documenting HPAI wildlife impacts
Advocate for research funding into wild bird HPAI vaccine development
Donate to seabird conservation organisations responding to population losses
Follow DEFRA guidance on wild bird disease reporting in your area