Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Waterfowl Lead Poisoning Welfare

Lead poisoning from spent shot and fishing weights causes chronic suffering and death in waterfowl - available alternatives make prevention achievable.

Key Facts

Over 60% of swans and many duck species show evidence of lead exposure in surveys
Lead pellets from spent shotgun cartridges are ingested by waterfowl foraging in sediment
Lead sinkers from angling are swallowed by swans reaching bottom vegetation
Clinical signs include loss of coordination, weakness, weight loss, and death
Non-toxic alternatives including steel shot and bismuth sinkers are available and effective

Welfare Considerations

Lead poisoning causes prolonged suffering in affected waterfowl - birds deteriorate over weeks before death. Available alternatives make continued lead use unjustifiable from a welfare perspective.

What You Can Do

Use non-toxic fishing weights (tungsten, bismuth, tin) instead of lead
Support the ban on lead fishing weights and shot in wetland habitats
Engage with shooting organisations about lead-free ammunition adoption