Wildlife

Urban Wildlife Welfare

Urban environments present unique welfare challenges and opportunities for the wildlife that inhabits them.

Key Facts

Urban fox, hedgehog, pigeon, and gull populations are significant in many cities
Garden litter and discarded food can cause welfare harm to urban animals
Cat predation is a significant source of wildlife mortality and injury in urban areas
Feeding urban wildlife can increase dependency and spread disease
Hedgehog decline is partly driven by garden fragmentation in urban areas

Welfare Considerations

Urban wildlife faces a complex mix of welfare challenges including road mortality, litter entanglement, pollution, and conflict with humans and pets. Some urban conditions such as warmer temperatures and supplementary feeding can benefit some species, while others suffer from reduced habitat quality and increased human-wildlife conflict. Thoughtful urban planning and responsible human behaviour can significantly improve outcomes for urban wildlife.

What You Can Do

Make your garden wildlife friendly with hedgehog holes in fences
Avoid using slug pellets and other pesticides that harm wildlife
Secure bins and avoid leaving litter that can entangle wildlife
Keep cats indoors at dawn and dusk when birds are most active
Support urban wildlife surveys and conservation planning in your area