Wild Animals

Wildlife Disease Spillover and Animal Welfare

Diseases transmitted between wildlife and livestock cause immense animal suffering and have major welfare implications.

Key Facts

Bovine tuberculosis in UK badgers and cattle has led to mass culls of both species
Avian influenza outbreaks result in killing of millions of wild birds and poultry
Rabies causes immense suffering in wildlife and domestic dogs globally
Brucellosis affects bison, cattle, and elk across North America
Zoonotic disease spillover risk increases with habitat destruction and wildlife trade

Welfare Considerations

Wildlife disease spillover is a major animal welfare challenge affecting both wild and domestic species. Prevention through habitat protection, reducing livestock-wildlife contact, and humane vaccination programmes is far preferable to mass culling responses that cause widespread suffering.

What You Can Do

Support habitat conservation to reduce wildlife-livestock contact
Advocate for humane vaccination programmes rather than culling
Oppose the wildlife trade which drives disease spillover
Support research into non-lethal disease management strategies