Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and UK Waterfowl Welfare 2026

UK waterfowl including ducks, geese, and swans face welfare challenges from lead poisoning, fishing tackle entanglement, and habitat loss.

Key Facts

Lead sinker ingestion kills thousands of swans annually in the UK
Fishing tackle entanglement causes injury and death in waterfowl at popular fishing sites
Mute swan populations have largely recovered following lead fishing weight bans in 1987
Plastic bag ingestion causes gut obstruction in swans and waterfowl in urban waterways
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust monitors and treats thousands of injured waterfowl annually

Welfare Considerations

Waterfowl welfare is significantly affected by fishing tackle, lead poisoning, and plastic pollution. Simple behaviour changes by anglers and the public can prevent significant individual suffering.

What You Can Do

Use lead-free fishing weights to protect swans and waterfowl
Retrieve all fishing tackle including line and hooks after fishing
Support WWT and local wildlife rescue organisations caring for injured waterfowl