Barnacle geese make remarkable migrations between Scottish wintering grounds and Arctic breeding sites, with welfare challenges at both ends of their annual cycle.
Barnacle geese face welfare challenges at multiple points in their annual cycle. Arctic breeding involves the dramatic hatchling cliff jump, where days-old goslings must survive falls of many metres to reach their parents below, with some injured on landing. Climate change is desynchronising the timing of Arctic plant growth with goose arrival and breeding, causing nutritional mismatch that reduces chick survival. Increasing disturbance by tourists at traditional Scottish wintering areas forces geese to spend energy on repeated flight escapes.