Wildlife

Wild Buzzard Welfare UK

Common buzzards have recovered across the UK following reduced persecution, but face welfare challenges from rodenticide poisoning and illegal killing.

Key Facts

UK buzzard populations have increased from under 20,000 pairs in 1980 to over 70,000 today
Buzzards were illegally persecuted to extinction in many areas before legal protection
Second-generation rodenticide accumulation in rabbits and voles causes sublethal welfare effects
Illegal poisoning and shooting continues in some areas despite legal protection
Buzzards are highly visible soaring birds that make them vulnerable to persecution near game estates

Welfare Considerations

Buzzards poisoned by SGARs suffer hemorrhagic disease causing weakness and death over days to weeks. Recovery of this species from persecution demonstrates what becomes possible when illegal killing is reduced, but rodenticide poisoning remains an ongoing welfare concern.

What You Can Do

Minimize rodenticide use to reduce buzzard exposure through contaminated prey
Report suspected raptor persecution to RSPB and police wildlife crime teams
Support buzzard monitoring programs that track population health and identify persecution hotspots