Data shows biggest danger to wildlife is people, not cats

Human-created hazards are responsible for most wildlife rescues in New South Wales, and researchers are calling for more prevention strategies to save threatened species.

A University of Queensland project analysed 11 years of records from the NSW Wildlife Rehabilitation Data Dashboard and found 52,475 cases related to 158 species listed as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable.

Ecologist Dr Kate Dutton-Regester said human factors such as road accidents, unsafe urban environments and entanglement were behind most of the rescues. 

“Entanglement in fruit tree netting, wire, fencing and marine debris was the cause of almost 12 per cent of cases, double the number caused by road accidents,” Dr Dutton-Regester said.

“Attacks by animals of all types accounted for 4.4 per cent of cases, with dog attacks more than 3 times as common as cat attacks. 

“Concerningly, 20 per cent of cases have no known or recorded cause for the animals’ illness or injury, which could mean we are missing an emerging problem such as a disease. 

“The records don’t measure all threatened wildlife deaths – only the cases which end up with carers – but they do reveal patterns and point to where more work is needed.”

Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand said pet cats have been a major focus of public debate about wildlife loss, with containment and desexing measures promoted as conservation solutions. 

“This data shows that human-driven threats deserve far greater attention because cat attacks accounted for just 0.6% of rescues,” Emeritus Professor Rand said.

“Our findings don’t say cats don’t matter in urban wildlife policy, but to get the best outcome for wildlife, the focus needs to shift to actions that address the bigger threats for wildlife.

“A sharper focus on the human factors behind the need for rescues would lead to less wildlife coming into care.

“For example, making sure mesh used in garden and orchard netting is small enough that gliders and bats heads and limbs don’t get caught.

“Maintaining wildlife corridors can help prevent tree-dwelling animals like koalas, gliders and possums being on the ground and ending up hit by cars, attacked by dogs or being stuck in places like buildings or backyards.

“Better road planning to avoid cutting through habitat and fencing, lighting or safe crossing devices have all been shown to reduce the number of animals hit by vehicles in known hotspots.”

Emeritus Professor Rand said the impact of rescue efforts goes beyond the animals.  

“The outcomes for wildlife taken into care were poor, with a fatality rate of 59 per cent,” she said.

“Only 24 per cent of animals were released, while 18 per cent had another outcome such as remaining in supported care.

“Behind each of these figures is a team of dedicated veterinarians and animal care volunteers who can suffer stress and compassion fatigue. 

“Burnout leads to people leaving the sector, reducing the capacity of wildlife rescue systems and robbing it of their knowledge and experience.

“Addressing the preventable reasons behind many rescues can benefit both animals and people.”

The research paper is published in Animals. 

Collaboration and acknowledgements