Wildlife

Wild Turtle Dove Sahel Survival Welfare

Turtle dove survival during African wintering depends on seed-rich Sahel habitats, with drought and habitat loss creating welfare threats.

Key Facts

Turtle doves winter in the Sahel zone of West Africa south of the Sahara
Sahel land degradation and drought reduce seed availability in wintering grounds
Illegal hunting during migration across Mediterranean countries adds to mortality
Turtle dove populations have declined by 98% in the UK, partly due to Sahel conditions
International conservation programmes address both UK and African threats

Welfare Considerations

Turtle dove welfare spans continents - from UK breeding grounds to Sahel wintering areas. Drought and habitat loss in the Sahel cause starvation mortality during winter. International conservation addressing both UK habitat and African wintering grounds is required for comprehensive welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support international turtle dove conservation programmes including African Sahel work
Advocate for bird-friendly coffee and other products supporting Sahel habitat
Donate to BirdLife International's work on migratory bird welfare across the flyway