A Retrospective Study on Wild Animals Admitted to Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Centres in Türkiye*

Abstract

The aim of this study was to retrospectively reveal the rehabilitation numbers of wild animals admitted to rescue and rehabilitation centres in Türkiye between 2017 and 2021, to investigate the wild animals hospitalized in the centres under mammal, bird and reptile classes at the level of order and species, and to identify the deficiencies in wildlife rehabilitation and to make recommendations. The main material of the research was the data for the years 2017-2021 obtained from the Wildlife Information System-YABIS, a database of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. As the method, numerical data on the species downloaded from YABIS were analysed. Accordingly, it was understood that a total of 35764 cases were admitted to all rescue centres across Türkiye. About 61% of these cases were treated and released into nature, about 34% died and about 5% were placed in zoos. While the Cetartiodactyla was the most affected order in mammals, the most accepted species in the centres was the Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). In birds, the Columbiformes was the most affected order, the most accepted species in the centers was the Rock dove (Columba livia). In reptiles, the Testudinata was the most affected order, the most accepted species in the centres was the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca). The increase in the number of cases brought to rehabilitation centers between 2017-2021, excluding 2019, clearly showed the role of rescue and rehabilitation centers in protecting wild animals and providing sustainable wildlife.