Reasons for admission and post-release survival of UK rehabilitated herring gulls (Larus argentatus) from 1999 to 2024

TL;DR

This study examines 25 years of herring gull admissions and releases at a UK wildlife center to understand factors affecting their care and survival.

Contribution

The study provides long-term insights into herring gull rehabilitation outcomes and the impact of avian influenza on urban populations.

Findings

Release rates varied significantly based on the admission problem category.

Rehabilitation and release of herring gulls supports both animal welfare and population conservation.

HPAI has impacted urban gull populations, highlighting the need for adapted rehabilitation protocols.

Abstract

Globally, millions of animals transition through wildlife rehabilitation facilities annually. Data recorded at these facilities can be used to quantitatively assess factors which result in the animals’ admittance, treatment, release, and survival, and how impacts such as high pathogen avian influenza (HPAI) has altered these parameters. Twenty-five years of records of herring gull (Larus argentatus) admittances into RSPCA Mallydams Wood Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Hastings, UK (between 1999 and 2024) were reviewed to determine admission factors and their impacts on the number of days in care and the likelihood of release. Additionally, for the years 1999 to 2010, data were collected on days of post-release survival and distances from the centre travelled from ringed and released birds. During that 25-year period, 17,334 herring gulls were admitted into the Mallydams Centre with 9,013 released, and 2,796 ringed and released between 1999 and 2010. Release rates varied significantly with the category of problem identified at admission. Wild nesting herring gulls, even without the impact of HPAI, have been declining throughout the UK, and the additional anthropogenic pressures on urban gull populations have resulted in a documented national decline in the species. Rehabilitating and returning birds to the wild has shown to be important both for their animal welfare and population, as well as helping identify the impact of HPAI on local urban populations of all relevant species. Results from this research can be utilised to adapt training and resources at rehabilitation centres and determine euthanasia protocols to optimise animal welfare along with release and survival success.

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