Wildlife

Wild Gannet Juvenile Dispersal Welfare

Juvenile gannets disperse from colonies in late summer facing survival challenges during their first independent migration and winter period.

Key Facts

Juvenile gannets are independent from around 90 days after hatching
They are entirely dependent on fishing skills developed in their first year
Gannets dive from great heights reaching 100km/h in pursuit of fish
First-year mortality is high as juveniles develop hunting competence
Colonies primarily on offshore islands provide secure departure points

Welfare Considerations

Juvenile gannet welfare during first-year dispersal is challenging - learning to hunt is energetically costly and many birds die from starvation or exhaustion. This natural mortality is part of the life history. Human-caused additions to this mortality - oil pollution, plastic ingestion, HPAI - are avoidable welfare harms.

What You Can Do

Support seabird rehabilitation programmes treating injured young gannets
Advocate for marine protected areas reducing impacts on gannet feeding areas
Report oiled or injured gannets to wildlife rehabilitation centres