Snowy owls are nomadic Arctic predators whose welfare and breeding success are tightly linked to lemming population cycles, with climate change disrupting prey availability and nesting conditions.
Snowy owls in low lemming years face severe food stress, with adults unable to provision chicks or abandoning nest attempts. Irrupting owls that move south encounter urban environments, road traffic, and glass strikes unfamiliar from their Arctic origin. Many irrupting owls arrive in southern areas in poor body condition after long flights. Rehabilitation of injured irrupting owls requires specialist care and eventual return to Arctic habitat — a challenging and expensive process. Climate-driven disruption of lemming cycles represents an existential welfare and population challenge for this charismatic species.