Wildlife Welfare

Wild Barnacle Goose Welfare and Greenland Population

Barnacle geese from Greenland winter in Scotland and Ireland, facing welfare challenges from habitat change and hunting in some range areas.

Key Facts

Greenland barnacle geese winter mainly on Islay and Irish islands in large flocks
The Islay population exceeds 50,000 birds wintering on improved grassland
Conflict with farming interests has led to licensed culling on Islay
Climate change is affecting breeding success on Greenland breeding grounds
Farmland management for barnacle geese involves complex conflicts between conservation and agriculture

Welfare Considerations

Barnacle goose welfare involves both individual welfare from culling management and population welfare from climate impacts on breeding success. Finding management approaches that meet both agricultural and conservation needs is essential for long-term welfare and conservation.

What You Can Do

Support Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust research and conservation programmes for barnacle geese
Engage with Islay goose management scheme stakeholder consultations
Advocate for climate action protecting Arctic and subarctic breeding habitats for migratory geese