Wildlife

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Standards

Wildlife rehabilitation quality varies enormously, with release decisions critically affecting animal welfare outcomes after care.

Key Facts

Over 50,000 wildlife casualties are treated annually in UK rehabilitation centres
Survival rates of released animals vary from under 10% to over 70% by species
Imprinting on humans prevents effective release for many species if intervention is too early
ESWT and BWRC standards provide benchmarks for rehabilitation quality

Welfare Considerations

Poor rehabilitation practices can cause more suffering than allowing natural death. Tame animals released into the wild face predation, starvation, and territorial exclusion. Prolonged captivity without species-appropriate socialization creates animals unable to perform natural behaviors.

What You Can Do

Contact licensed rehabilitators before intervening with injured wildlife
Support accredited rehabilitation centers with funds or volunteer time
Do not attempt home rehabilitation of wild animals without guidance
Advocate for national standards and licensing requirements for wildlife rehabilitation