Current status and trend analysis of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Liandu district,Lishui City from 2016 to 2023

This study systematically analyzed wildlife rescue data from 2016 to 2023 in Liandu District, Lishui City, focusing on rescue numbers, species composition, protection levels, and seasonal trends. The results showed that 509 wild animals were rescued during this period, belonging to 3 classes, 24 orders, 43 families, and 75 species. Birds constituted the majority (91.9%, 468 individuals), followed by mammals (7.7%) and reptiles (0.4%). Among the rescued animals, 27 species and 236 individuals were nationally protected, accounting for 46.36% of the total. The number of rescues increased significantly, with a 15-fold rise from 2016 to 2023, peaking in spring (34.4% of annual rescues) due to the influx of fledglings during breeding seasons. Juveniles and injuries were the primary rescue causes (53%), yet public misrescue of healthy fledglings posed risks to their survival. To address these challenges, recommendations include optimizing rescue resource allocation during key periods (April–July), expanding the grid-based rescue network (24 existing points), enhancing public education to reduce unnecessary interventions, and strengthening interdepartmental law enforcement to combat illegal hunting39. This study provides a scientific basis for improving wildlife rescue systems to meet growing demands.