Wildlife

Wild Bumblebee Welfare and Habitat

Bumblebees face multiple welfare and population threats, and evidence for insect sentience suggests their welfare deserves consideration.

Key Facts

Eight UK bumblebee species have declined severely and two have become extinct
Habitat loss, pesticides, and disease are the primary drivers of decline
Bumblebees show evidence of rudimentary emotional states and pessimistic cognitive bias under stress
Neonicotinoid pesticides impair navigation, foraging, and colony reproduction
Flower-rich habitats support colony health and reduce foraging stress

Welfare Considerations

Bumblebees exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides show impaired foraging behaviour and colony performance that may constitute welfare harm if they have capacity for distress. Regardless of sentience uncertainty, protecting bumblebee habitats and reducing pesticide exposure has clear ecological and potential welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Plant diverse native wildflowers to provide bumblebee foraging habitat
Support campaigns to restrict neonicotinoid pesticide use
Buy organic produce to reduce indirect pesticide impacts on bumblebees