Great Bustard Welfare in UK Reintroduction

Great bustards were extinct in the UK for nearly 200 years before reintroduction on Salisbury Plain, with welfare management around captive breeding, release and establishment.

Key Facts

Great bustards became extinct in the UK in 1832 due to hunting and habitat loss
Reintroduction from Russian eggs began in 2004 on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire
UK population now numbers over 100 birds with breeding occurring
Salisbury Plain military training area provides the large open grassland habitat they require
Great bustards are the world's heaviest flying bird males weighing up to 18kg

Welfare Considerations

Great bustard welfare in the UK reintroduction programme depends on the availability of large undisturbed open grassland on Salisbury Plain. The military training area provides unusual protection from agricultural development. Young birds released from captivity face high predation risk during establishment. Winter food availability is critical for this large bird with high energetic requirements. The long-term viability of the UK population depends on continued habitat protection and management.

What You Can Do

Support the Great Bustard Group reintroduction programme
Report great bustard sightings to the Great Bustard Group for monitoring
Do not disturb great bustards in their core Salisbury Plain range
Advocate for habitat management that maintains open grassland for bustards
Follow the progress of UK great bustard reintroduction through annual reports