Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Avian Influenza Preparedness Research

Preparing for future HPAI waves requires research into wildlife vaccination, biosecurity, and population recovery - 2026 research priorities are emerging.

Key Facts

HPAI H5N1 is now endemic in migratory bird populations globally
Wild bird vaccination programmes face practical challenges of delivery at scale
Sentinel surveillance networks detect new strains before they cause mass mortality events
Colony-nesting species are most vulnerable to mass die-off events
Rehabilitation centres require biosecurity protocols to avoid becoming amplification hubs

Welfare Considerations

HPAI has caused catastrophic welfare harm to tens of millions of wild birds since 2021. Preparing for future waves through research, surveillance, and biosecurity reduces the scale of individual suffering in future outbreaks.

What You Can Do

Support HPAI surveillance and research organisations
Donate to wildlife rehabilitation centres managing HPAI-affected birds safely
Report sick or dead seabirds to UKHSA and APHA for epidemiological monitoring