As pandemic turns focus to nature, wildlife hospitals had a very busy year

December 19, 2020

Wildlife hospitals across the UK are reporting their busiest year ever, with hedgehogs, pigeons, bats and birds of prey among a growing number of animals brought into centres for treatment.

The rise in admissions is part of a wider trend of increasing awareness of habitat loss and the threats to the natural world, but experts also point to the Covid-19 lockdown as a significant factor in this year’s increase. The number of people venturing out to nature spots has surged during the pandemic, with almost half of the population spending more time outside than before coronavirus. A third of people reported noticing nature and wildlife more.

For Vale Wildlife, a centre near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, 2020 has been the busiest in its 36-year history. “We took in almost 7,000 animals in 2019, and we’re definitely on track to beat that,” said Caroline Gould, the hospital’s founder.

Gould said the lockdown was a factor, but the increase was also part of a longer-term pattern. “Most of the injuries sustained by animals that come in here are because of people,” she said.

“Not directly or intentionally, but the way we live is having an impact on the animal world and destroying habitat. People are far more aware now that we are causing most of the problems to wildlife and they want to be a part of the solution.”

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/uk-wildlife-hospitals-report-busiest-year-ever-as-lockdown-turns-focus-to-nature-aoe