Wildlife rehabilitation provides essential welfare support for injured and orphaned animals but requires high standards to minimise stress and maximise release success.
Wildlife rehabilitation must balance the welfare of the individual animal against the stress of captive care. Poorly managed centres can cause more harm than good — animals may experience severe chronic stress, develop maladaptive behaviours, and fail after release. High-quality rehabilitation is defined by rapid assessment, species-appropriate care, and a clear, measurable pathway to release.