Whooper swans wintering in Scotland and Ireland from Icelandic breeding grounds face welfare challenges from disturbance at feeding sites, lead poisoning from agricultural land, and collision with power lines.
Whooper swan welfare on wintering grounds is threatened by several anthropogenic hazards. Lead poisoning from ingesting spent shotgun pellets in agricultural fields causes progressive neurological deterioration and death. Power line collisions cause acute traumatic injury in low-visibility conditions, with birds in family groups vulnerable to simultaneous multiple casualties. Disturbance at key feeding sites forces repeated flight in winter, burning critical energy reserves. Long-lived, family-social birds that lose mates or family members suffer social welfare impacts beyond the immediate physical harm. Marking power lines near key swan habitat and transitioning to non-toxic ammunition directly address these welfare threats.