Wildlife Welfare

Wild Swan Welfare and Lead Poisoning

Mute swans and other waterfowl suffer severe welfare harm from lead poisoning through ingestion of fishing weights and shotgun pellets. Bans on lead in waterfowl habitat are effective.

Key Facts

Lead fishing weights were banned in the UK in 1987 following mass swan mortality
Legacy lead contamination in river sediments continues to cause chronic low-level poisoning
Swans ingest grit including lead pellets when feeding on river and lake beds
Lead poisoning causes nervous system damage, weakness, and prolonged suffering
Ongoing monitoring shows lead poisoning remains a welfare concern in some populations

Welfare Considerations

Lead poisoning causes prolonged, severe welfare suffering in affected swans. While the ban on lead weights reduced mortality, vigilance against illegal use and remediation of contaminated sites remains necessary.

What You Can Do

Use only non-toxic fishing weights and shot
Report suspected lead-poisoned birds to wildlife rehabilitators
Support clean-up of known lead-contaminated fishing sites
Learn about lead poisoning risks to waterfowl in your local area