The North American ruddy duck was eradicated from the UK and controlled across Europe to prevent genetic introgression with the endangered white-headed duck, raising welfare questions about lethal control of non-native species.
The ruddy duck eradication programme raises fundamental welfare questions about lethal control of sentient animals for conservation purposes. Shooting causes varying degrees of suffering depending on shot placement, and wounded birds may suffer before dying. The ethical justification rests on preventing greater welfare and conservation harm to the white-headed duck. This case illustrates complex welfare trade-offs inherent in invasive species management, where welfare of individual non-native animals must be weighed against population-level impacts on native species.