Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Salmon Welfare and River Restoration

Wild salmon face significant welfare challenges during migration and spawning - river restoration directly improves their wellbeing.

Key Facts

Dam removal dramatically restores salmon spawning access
Warm water temperatures during migration increase physiological stress
Fallback and repeat passage attempts waste critical energy reserves
Predation pressure is elevated around fish ladders and bypass channels
Healthy riparian vegetation reduces water temperature and sedimentation

Welfare Considerations

Salmon experience real stress and physical injury during migration. River restoration - removing barriers, shading streams, reducing pollution - provides welfare benefits to millions of individual fish.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration projects in your region
Advocate for dam removal where ecologically appropriate
Reduce lawn chemicals that contribute to stream warming