Wildlife

Wildlife Rehabilitation Release Criteria

Welfare-based release criteria for wildlife rehabilitees ensure animals are fit to survive in the wild before release, reducing post-release mortality and suffering.

Key Facts

Release fitness criteria include weight, flight or locomotion ability, feeding independence and disease clearance
Soft release with supplementary feeding sites improves survival rates for some species
Site selection for release must consider habitat suitability and population context
Some rehabilitated animals cannot be released and require permanent captive care
Release timing aligned with ecological conditions improves survival outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Release criteria protect the welfare of rehabilitated wildlife by preventing premature release into an environment where animals cannot survive. Premature release causes suffering and death that defeats rehabilitation goals. Standardised welfare-based criteria across rehabilitation centres ensure consistent standards.

What You Can Do

Support wildlife rehabilitation organisations that use evidence-based release criteria
Volunteer at accredited wildlife rehabilitation centres
Advocate for welfare standards in wildlife rehabilitation licensing