By Abdullahi Lukman
A dramatic 86 percent decline in Bewick’s swan populations at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) Slimbridge reserve in Gloucestershire, the UK, has been attributed to climate change.
Only 87 swans returned this year, a stark contrast to historical numbers, and no cygnets were observed.
The decrease is linked to warmer European temperatures, which are causing the swans to “short-stop” their annual 2,174-mile migration from northern Russia.
Instead of reaching the UK, thousands are remaining in more temperate areas of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.
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Preliminary figures indicate over 7,000 swans altered their migration patterns this winter.
Martin McGill, reserve manager at WWT Slimbridge, expressed concern over the swans’ absence, emphasizing their historical significance to the reserve.
The Bewick’s swans have been studied at Slimbridge for nearly 50 years, with over 10,000 individuals recorded, making it one of the longest single-species studies.
Beyond climate change, the swans face additional threats during their migration, including lead poisoning and illegal shooting. WWT is leading a coalition of charities advocating for a UK government ban on lead ammunition to mitigate these dangers.
The WWT is also emphasizing the need for increased wetland conservation to counteract the effects of climate change and safeguard migratory bird populations.
They are urging immediate action to create and protect more wetlands.
