Wildlife rehabilitation research
The RSPCA has gathered research over a number of years to investigate the success of wild animal rehabilitation.
It found those animals that had been rehabilitated were able to adapt back into the wild, and would generally survive as long as naturally expected.
The data was collected from each of the RSPCA's wildlife centres over the last nine years, in Cheshire, East Sussex, Norfolk and Somerset.
Radio tracking, as well as a number of other monitoring methods were used to gather the information.
Researchers looked at various wild animal species that were brought into the centres, including hedgehogs, birds, foxes and bats.
Adam Grogan, the RSPCA's senior scientist who authored the study paper, said: "We had been rescuing all these animals and caring for them in our wildlife centres before releasing them, but what we really need to know is how they survive in the long-term.
"We now know that most of them do very well."
The research has provided both inspectors and centre staff at the RSPCA information about what works and what doesn't work for wildlife rehabilitation, added Grogan.
"Our inspectors can then refer to guidance about wildlife casualties and the best ways of looking after them."
BVA members can click here to read the full study.
BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.
