Wildlife Conservation

Wild Avian Influenza: Welfare and Conservation Impact

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has caused unprecedented mortality in wild seabirds and wildfowl since 2021. The welfare and conservation implications are severe and ongoing.

Key Facts

HPAI H5N1 killed millions of seabirds including gannets, skuas and terns across Europe from 2021
UK gannet colony at Bass Rock saw mortality of approximately 4,500 birds in a single season
Individual birds die from neurological disease causing disorientation, seizures and distress
Mass mortality events at colony sites create significant wildlife welfare emergencies
Conservation organisations are developing response protocols for HPAI events at protected sites

Welfare Considerations

HPAI causes suffering and death on a scale rarely seen in UK wildlife. Individual birds die from neurological distress, while population-level effects threaten the viability of seabird colonies that have no precedent for this pathogen.

What You Can Do

Report sick or dead wild birds to the APHA dead wild bird reporting line
Do not handle sick or dead birds found in the wild
Support RSPB and BCI monitoring of HPAI impacts on wild bird populations