There are many threats to waterbirds - the most important are well-known: habitat loss and degradation, over-hunting and invasive species.
Other threats include disease, disturbance and pollution.
WWT continues to play a major role in the UK Government's avian influenza surveillance programme in wild water birds, by conducting a sampling programme in live-caught wild birds. Samples are then analysed by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, as part of the government's avian influenza early warning system.
WWT aims to address the major threats to waterbirds in the UK by identifying solutions through research. Our area of research will particularly focus on climate change, disease and pollution and we are currently investigating the effect of climate change on Svalbard Barnacle Goose populations.
Our work on pollution will continue to focus on the issue of lead shot – as it has for the past 15 years. We aim to eradicate mortality caused by lead shot ingestion in waterfowl and conduct studies of the level of lead shot ingestion. This will inform national policy via the UK lead shot regulations review group.