# Woman who flew with swans warns of lead danger

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/woman-who-flew-with-swans-warns-of-lead-danger/
- Published: 2026-11-02T06:22:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T07:12:44+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Science (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqly0r3kp1mlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Science

## Key points

- Lead ammunition will be banned from sale and use in 2029.
- Up to 100,000 UK water birds may die from lead poisoning annually.
- Conservation groups’ campaign has received the RSPB Medal.

## Summary

Conservationist Sacha Dench has welcomed legislation banning lead ammunition sales and use in England, Wales and Scotland, warning that lead poisoning is a serious and under-recognised threat to wildlife. She says the contamination could push some bird species towards extinction, and the campaign that helped secure the change has received the RSPB Medal.

The ban is due to take effect in April 2029. Dench estimates that lead poisoning kills up to 100,000 water birds in the UK each year, while shooting disperses 7,000 to 13,000 tonnes of lead into nature annually; birds may swallow pellets, mistaking them for food or grit. Deer manager Sharif Adams has already switched to non-lead ammunition, citing conservation benefits and game dealers’ growing preference for venison shot without lead.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.