Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and Urbanisation

Urban expansion creates novel environments for wildlife with both welfare opportunities including reduced predation and challenges including traffic and pollution.

Key Facts

Many species including foxes, badgers, and deer have adapted to urban living
Urban heat island effects create warmer micro-climates benefiting some species
Traffic remains the primary welfare harm for urban wildlife
Light pollution disrupts circadian rhythms in urban wildlife
Some species thrive in urban environments with welfare consequences for wildlife communities

Welfare Considerations

Urbanisation creates complex welfare environments for wildlife. Individual animals that successfully adapt may benefit from reduced predation pressure and more consistent food sources. However, traffic, pollution, and habitat fragmentation create welfare hazards that affect many individuals. Urban wildlife welfare is best served by green infrastructure planning that creates safe corridors and minimises the harmful aspects of urban environments while enabling the benefits.

What You Can Do

Advocate for wildlife corridors in urban planning
Reduce garden lighting that disrupts wildlife circadian rhythms
Create wildlife-friendly gardens providing food, water, and shelter
Reduce driving speed in wildlife-inhabited areas
Support urban nature reserves providing undisturbed wildlife habitat