Trends in Admissions and Outcomes at a British Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre over a Ten-Year Period (2012-2022)

Abstract

Millions of animals pass through wildlife rehabilitation centres (WRCs) globally each year, some dying in captivity, others euthanised, and some released into the wild. Those caring for these animals are generally well-intentioned, but skills, knowledge, and resources may be limited, potentially compromising animal welfare. WRC databases provide an opportunity to provide an evidence base for treatment and conservation efforts. 42,841 records of animals admitted over a 10-year period to a British WRC were analysed. More birds (69.16%) were admitted than mammals (30.48%) and reptiles and amphibians (0.36%). Most admissions were in the summer (48.8%) and spring (26.0%) months. A total of 9 of the 196 species seen made up 57% of admissions, and hedgehogs were the most common species admitted (14% of all admissions and 20% of mammals). Juvenile animals (35.5%) were admitted more frequently than 'orphans' (26.0%) or adults (26.4%). 'Orphaned' was also the predominant reason for admission (28.3%), followed by 'injured' (25.5%). 42.6% of animals were eventually released back to the wild, 19.2% died in captivity, and 37.2% were euthanised; 1% of outcomes were unknown. The prognosis was better for orphaned animals than for those admitted because of injury. Unexpected natural deaths in captivity were found to decline over the period of study, consistent with improved early triage. These findings can be used to focus veterinary and WRC training and seasonal resources on the species and case types most likely to be successfully rehabilitated and released. The findings also have the potential to contribute to our understanding of anthropogenic impacts, historical and regional variations in ecosystem health, and resultant implications for animal welfare.

Keywords: hedgehog; rehabilitation; rescue; triage; welfare; wildlife.

Figure 1

Bar chart illustrating the class of animals admitted over a ten-year period.

Figure 2

Graph illustrating the number and class of animals admitted by study year.

Figure 3

Stacked bar chart illustrating the seasonality of admissions for all animals and the proportion of animals in each class.

Figure 4

Stacked bar chart illustrating the proportion of animals admitted in each age class.

Figure 5

Bar chart illustrating the seasonality of admissions for all animals and the four most common reasons for admission.

Figure 6

Stacked bar chart illustrating the number of animals in each outcome category for all animals and each animal class.

Figure 7

Bar charts illustrating the final outcome for the top three known reasons for admission—‘injured’, ‘orphaned’, and ‘caught by cat’: (a) for all classes of animal, (b) birds, (c) mammals, and (d) reptiles and amphibians.

Figure 7

Bar charts illustrating the final outcome for the top three known reasons for admission—‘injured’, ‘orphaned’, and ‘caught by cat’: (a) for all classes of animal, (b) birds, (c) mammals, and (d) reptiles and amphibians.

Figure 8

Graph illustrating the percentage of animals euthanised, dying naturally, and released over the 10-year study period.