Factors influencing the need for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation

Factors influencing the need for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation

Habitat Loss and Degradation

  • The humans’ expansion and development often result in habitat loss or degradation for many wildlife species, making them more vulnerable and increasing their need for rescue and rehabilitation.
  • Deforestation, land conversion for agriculture, and urban sprawl all contribute to habitat loss.
  • Environmental pollution can degrade habitats, resulting in wildlife injuries or illnesses due to chemical exposure.

Human-Wildlife Conflict

  • Human-wildlife conflicts can occur when wildlife intersect with human environments, often resulting in harm to the animals involved. Examples are vehicle strikes, trapping, or being attacked by domestic animals.
  • Illegal wildlife trade and poaching also contribute to the need for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

  • Climate change affects wildlife by altering habitats, disrupting food sources, and increasing the incidence of extreme weather events.
  • Natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and hurricanes can cause mass displacement and injury to wildlife, necessitating rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Disease and Injuries

  • Emerging diseases, increasingly common due to shifts in climates and habitats, can have severe impacts on wildlife populations.
  • Injuries from predators or territorial disputes may also necessitate rescue and rehabilitation.

Human Activity and Interaction

  • Deliberate and inadvertent human actions can affect wildlife, such as incorrect use of pesticides, road traffic accidents, or entanglement in litter.
  • Well-meaning but uninformed interference by the public can result in young animals being unnecessarily taken into care.

Ecological Impact

  • Each species plays a vital role in the ecosystem, so the loss of one can affect the entire system.
  • Commonly rehabilitated species like birds of prey and hedgehogs are significant to the function of the ecosystem as they control pests.

Legislation and Policies

  • National and international laws and regulations on the protection and management of wildlife also influence rescue and rehabilitation activities.
  • Different countries may have different policies regarding the treatment and release of rehabilitated wildlife.