Health risk fears for storks in Europe over ‘junk food’ from landfill

Rubbish dumps can expose birds to contaminants, raising questions over whether landfill foraging helps or harms

Storks are gaining weight from a diet of literal junk, according to research that suggests the previously disappearing birds face potential health risks as a result of increasingly eating from rubbish dumps.

Landfill offers what appear to be quick and convenient meals for white stork populations in Europe. But new research suggests they may be gaining a short-term energy boost at the cost of hidden long-term health effects.