Wildlife

Wild Avian Influenza: Wildlife Welfare Research Priorities

Research priorities for wildlife welfare response to avian influenza are needed to improve future outbreak management.

Key Facts

Individual bird welfare assessment tools for HPAI-affected birds are underdeveloped
Research into welfare-conscious response protocols for different species and colony types is needed
Monitoring that tracks welfare alongside population recovery is absent from most wildlife disease responses
Vaccine safety and efficacy research for wild birds is in early stages with welfare assessment needed

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife HPAI response currently prioritises disease containment over individual animal welfare assessment. Research that develops welfare-conscious response protocols, individual assessment tools, and vaccine safety evaluation would significantly reduce welfare harm in future outbreaks. Welfare research for wildlife disease response deserves dedicated funding.

What You Can Do

Support organisations advocating for wildlife welfare inclusion in HPAI response planning
Advocate for welfare research funding as part of wildlife disease preparedness
Engage with wildlife disease policy consultations to include welfare alongside conservation goals