The most common causes for animal rescues in Australia are primarily linked to human activities and environmental factors. Based on recent data, the main causes include:
- Collisions with Vehicles: This is the leading cause of rescues, accounting for approximately 24.3% of all cases. Many native animals, including kangaroos and koalas, are frequently injured or killed when crossing roads.
- Abandonment or Orphaning: About 20.1% of rescues involve animals that have been abandoned or orphaned, often due to habitat destruction, human encroachment, or the death of a parent.
- Unsuitable Environment: This category includes animals that are rescued due to habitat loss or degradation, making up around 16.8% of rescues. Changes in land use, such as agriculture and urban development, significantly impact wildlife habitats.
- Entanglement or Trapping: Approximately 7.1% of rescues involve animals that have become entangled in fishing nets, barbed wire, or other debris.
- Collisions with Other Objects: This includes injuries from flying into windows or other structures, accounting for about 6.2% of rescues.
- Diseased Individuals: About 5.1% of rescued animals are brought in due to illness or disease, which can be exacerbated by environmental stressors and habitat loss.
These statistics highlight the significant impact of human activities on wildlife and underscore the importance of conservation efforts aimed at mitigating these threats to protect Australia’s unique fauna.
Sources
[1] Trends in wildlife rehabilitation rescues and animal fate across a six … https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8432793/
[2] Dog Rehoming Statistics Australia – NALZO The Label https://nalzo.com.au/blogs/tips/dog-rehoming-statistics-australia
[3] Australia Zoo Rescue Unit – Wildlife Warriors https://wildlifewarriors.org.au/conservation-projects/australia-zoo-rescue-unit/
[4] The State of Pet Adoption Report 2022-2023 – PetRescue https://www.petrescue.com.au/library/articles/the-state-of-pet-adoption-report-2022-2023
[5] Animal hospitals important for wildlife rehab – Australian Geographic https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/news/2014/07/animal-hospitals-important-for-wildlife-rehab/
[6] The Top 9 Reasons Why People Give Up Their Pets https://www.four-paws.org.au/our-stories/publications-guides/the-top-9-reasons-why-people-give-up-their-pets
[7] Aboriginal land management & care https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/land/aboriginal-land-care
[8] Rehabilitating injured, sick or orphaned native animals | Native animals | Environment and Heritage https://www2.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/native-animals/rehabilitating-native-animals
