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In the wild

Adult badger at night © Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary

Most landscapes or habitats  - even those that seem fairly natural, such as woodlands and seashores - are now dominated by human activity. These activities can cause suffering or affect wild animals in many different ways, either as a direct result or an unintended consequence - or a bit of both. 

 

Some examples:

  • Pest control
    For example, poisoning rats could cause suffering to them or result in poisoning to birds of prey feeding on the dead animals.
     
  • Disease control
    There are government proposals to kill badgers because they are involved in spreading TB to cattle.
     
  • Fishing
    The type of net and how it is used may result in accidental capture of dolphins, porpoises and small whales - see the bycatch indicator in the wildlife section of our most recent edition of The Welfare State: Measuring Animal Welfare in the UK.
     
  • Angling
    Discarded tackle risks entangling swans and other waterfowl - see the fishing litter indicator in the wildlife section of our most recent edition of The Welfare State: Measuring Animal Welfare in the UK.
     
  • Driving vehicles
    Many thousands of wild animals, including deer, are killed in collisions  - see our fact sheet about Traffic accidents involving deer (PDF 72.1KB).
     
  • Introducing non-native species
    This may result in control measures to prevent damage to crops or native species - see the Non-native Species Secretariat for more information.
     
  • Shooting of deer
    Might result in wounding or leave dependent young to starve.
     
  • Feeding wild birds
    May help them survive but there’s a risk of spreading diseases.  Our Feeding Garden Birds page should help you enjoy your local wild birds and keep your local bird population healthy.

 

Red squirrel climbing on a branch. © Andrew Forsyth/RSPCA Photolibrary

 

Find out more

In this section you can find more detail on different types of animals, laws and welfare issues surrounding them, what we’re doing and ways you can help.

There are number of downloadable 'Living with...' information sheets to help anyone living with nesting birds, foxes, badgers and grey squirrels in their garden, plus information about how you can make your garden hedgehog-friendly.

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Ivory trade and poaching

Our wildlife scientists are members of the Species Survival Network (SSN) an international coalition of non-governmental organisations committed to the promotion, enhancement and strict enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The SSN is working to prevent over-exploitation of animals and plants due to international trade.

 

Sign a petition against the ivory trade

For more information about the ivory trade, including latest news about ivory seizures and elephant poaching and to sign a petition to speak out against the trade visit: www.bloodyivory.org