The first comprehensive study of international literature on wildlife rehabilitation shows that human activity is one of several factors that influences outcome for injured or displaced wildlife.
The first comprehensive study of international literature on wildlife rehabilitation shows that human activity is one of several factors that influences outcome for injured or displaced wildlife.
The study was conducted by Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, as part of a grant focused on the effects of Australian bushfires on native fauna. The team analyzed data collected from 112 published studies, focusing on intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with survival. Their findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE.
“Not a lot is known about these factors for survival of rescued wildlife, so it was important to systematically look at the available data to identify factors associated with survival,” said Dr. Holly Cope, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, and one of the paper’s authors. “Natural disasters and extreme weather events are escalating, and urbanization is expanding, so there will be more and more animals needing rescue and rehabilitation. Wildlife personnel need to be aware of the data to improve triage and care protocols.”
The study found that mammals and birds are equally likely to survive all stages of rehabilitation, but survival rates varied between locations. Human activity, such as motor vehicle collisions and domestic animal attack, accounted for 45% of the reported causes of death and injury either pre-rescue or after release.
Read more at: Morris Animal Foundation
