Whimbrel Welfare: Illegal Hunting on European and African Migration Routes

Whimbrels face welfare and conservation threats from illegal trapping and shooting during migration through the Mediterranean and West Africa.

Key Facts

Whimbrels migrate from Arctic breeding grounds to West African wintering sites via Atlantic coasts
Illegal shooting and trapping occurs in some Mediterranean and North African countries during migration
The Azores hosts important staging flocks that have historically been subject to intensive shooting
Habitat degradation at West African wintering sites reduces food availability during the critical wintering period
BirdLife International flyway conservation programmes work to protect whimbrels across their range

Welfare Considerations

Whimbrels shot or trapped on migration suffer acute welfare impacts from injury and death. Birds that escape with non-lethal injuries may be unable to complete migration successfully. Intensive shooting at staging sites disrupts foraging behaviour causing energetic deficits in birds needing to gain weight for transoceanic flight. The stress of migration through heavily hunted areas imposes chronic welfare costs on birds that must balance predator avoidance with the need to refuel. Effective hunting moratoriums would eliminate these welfare impacts.

What You Can Do

Support BirdLife International campaigns for whimbrel protection across the flyway
Advocate for hunting moratoriums on threatened migratory waders in Mediterranean countries
Donate to conservation organisations protecting West African wintering habitat
Participate in whimbrel monitoring during migration to contribute to population tracking
Raise awareness about illegal hunting impacts on migratory shorebirds