Wildlife Welfare

Wild Ptarmigan Welfare and Climate

Ptarmigan are adapted to arctic-alpine conditions and face significant welfare threats from climate warming that reduces snow cover and disrupts their camouflage.

Key Facts

Ptarmigan moult to white plumage in winter providing camouflage against snow
Climate-driven reduced snow cover leaves white ptarmigan visible against dark ground
Predation risk increases significantly when camouflage fails in low-snow winters
Scottish ptarmigan populations are restricted to high-altitude Cairngorm habitats
Climate change is reducing suitable highland habitat and increasing predation pressure

Welfare Considerations

Ptarmigan welfare is directly threatened by climate-driven mismatches between moult timing and snow cover. Climate action is the most important welfare and conservation intervention for this species.

What You Can Do

Support climate action as a ptarmigan welfare and conservation measure
Avoid disturbance to ptarmigan habitat in the Scottish Highlands
Learn about ptarmigan ecology and climate vulnerability
Contribute to ptarmigan monitoring through citizen science schemes