Releasing home reared wild animals back into the wild

[Dutchess]

I had left WAB for the night but have come across a query on another of my forums that may be answered here. I am sure someone here on WAB can help

So, this is what happened to spark the debate off:

A woman's pet rabbit escaped recently and she thought it would have perished. However, it has returned unharmed, and has gone on to deliver a few babies! Obviously these are half wild, so she was wondering what to do with them.

Some folk said they'd have killed them at birth, for their own sake.

Others have said they have known home reared half-breed - and even wild rabbits - to go on to be kept as pets, quite happily.

Others have suggested they will never become tame and therefore should be released when weaned.

This has sparked off a debate on the legal side of things. Someone has chipped in and said it is illegal to release any home reared wild animal back into the wild, except if you belong to a specific wildlife rescue organisation (such as Tiggywinkles.) Some have suggested (!!) that "only a 'vet can do it" (cough) and some others have pointed out that technically, it would be tantamount to abandonment of a pet if these animals were released, seeing as they were bred from a domesticated rabbit.

This is all academic, as the lady concerned has already decided to keep them as pets but I was interested as to the legal position (which is still being hotly debated on the other forum )

Thanks, in advance.

D.

[Monkey Orchid]

Hi, Dutchess.

I found an old WAB thread on a similar topic which you may find useful:

Fox release

As you will notice, this thread was eventually closed by a WAB moderator due to the, errm, 'hot' nature of the debate contained therein... But there is some interesting information around the topic of releasing animals into the wild.

As far as the lady with the rabbits is concerned, I would suggest that she's done the right thing by keeping them. My personal view is that the last thing the UK countryside needs is an increase in rabbit population! I have no idea whether the fact that the offspring are genetically half-wild would have any implications for their behaviour and ability to be kept as domestic pets. Most of the pet rabbits I've encountered have been pretty unpredictable anyway - the scariest I ever came across was a pedigree Netherland Dwarf rabbit, which was completely psycho! So as long as the lady in question is happy to look after them, good for her.

I'm no expert on the legal position regarding release of rescued or home-reared animals, but having read the aforementioned WAB thread plus information on Defra's website (the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act etc), my best guess is that releasing half-wild, half-domesticated rabbits into the wild would (or should) be illegal, on the grounds that by doing so you'd be introducing non-native genes into a wild species. Having said that, wild rabbits are non-native to the UK anyway, having been introduced by the Normans in the 12th century; and many people consider them a 'pest' species. I believe that it is possible to obtain licences from Defra for releasing certain species of animal into the wild, but I assume that this would be largely for conservation purposes (e.g. red kite, beaver).

Then of course people do regularly release of thousands of pheasants into the countryside, a non-native species itself... Not sure how this fits in with the whole issue.

OK, I've even confused myself now. Hope that this post has been of some use to you, though!

[willing to learn]

It would be illegal to release half wild and half domestic rabbits into the wild.
Regards
Colin.

[Dogghound]

Yes as Colin says these should not be released back into the wild.

[Dutchess]

Thanks, Monkey Orchid, Colin and Dogghound

And thank you for the link, MO. I see what you mean about the previous thread being a hot subject! It ended up going around in circles, just as people are doing on the afore mentioned forum I was hoping a straightforward legal quotation may put an end to it, but (as the other thread demonstrates) even then, it is an area open to interpretation.

I think I'll just leave them to it

Cheers all.

D.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Strictly speaking any rabbit should not be released into the wild as they are an introduced species and doing so would be breaking the law, technically.

Saying that though, the RSPCA and a certain wildlife group aren't above re-releasing injured Canada Geese and the likes without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Cheers,

Adam

[connerlake]

Illegal to release them, and altho not counting as native, rabbits are a very natural and naturalised part of britain, releasing the half breed rabbits would be a bit silly as it would effect the gene pool of truly wild rabbits.

It will not effect there behaviour what so ever in any way shape or form, if i captured a very young completely wild rabbit i could raise it and it would make a fine pet, let alone one that has never ever seen the wild and was born with humans around.

[FoxtonWildlifeRescue]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Strictly speaking any rabbit should not be released into the wild as they are an introduced species and doing so would be breaking the law, technically.

Saying that though, the RSPCA and a certain wildlife group aren't above re-releasing injured Canada Geese and the likes without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Cheers,

Adam

Tiggs might but the RS don't. Would you rather they be PTS?

I hear that English Nature is now issuing lisences for the release of grey squirrels now.

[FoxtonWildlifeRescue]

As far as the law goes, I believe it is legal so long as the animal has a realistic chance of survival (ie not tame) otherwise that would be abandonment and illegal.

We hand rear animals every year although try to use surrogates where possible. Orphans account for the most of all our admissions.

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by FoxtonWildlifeRescue

As far as the law goes, I believe it is legal so long as the animal has a realistic chance of survival (ie not tame) otherwise that would be abandonment and illegal.

We hand rear animals every year although try to use surrogates where possible. Orphans account for the most of all our admissions.

And legally released, provided they were born in the wild (ie. not captive bred) - this includes any native animal born in the wild and taken into rehab/rescued with the purpose of re-release (ie. not classed as a 'captive' animal/bird) and that is a native/patriated species. If any particular non-captive species falls under the listed 'pest' species of General Licence, any owner/occupier can legally control them provided methods comply with the code of practice and guidelines of the GL. Since the 1st of January, it is no longer necessary to hold a local licence or for owners to have a copy of the General Licence, to control 'pest species' but purposes for which they are being controlled must still satisfy GL criteria.

http://www.kwacs.org.uk/general%20quarry.htm

As far as foxes and rabbits are concerned, no Licence is required provided methods of 'control' satisfies snaring laws/codes of practice under WCA and firearm laws etc.
The law regarding the control of Rabbits presumably hasn't changed since the Pest Act 1954 and so although, ASFAIK, it's not illegal to release a rehabilitated wild rabbit (ie. one born in the wild) under the WCA, it's worth bearing in mind, land owners are actually under an obligation to control them by law since the whole of England (other than London/Scilly) is a 'rabbit clearance area' - This may well effect the decision as to whether a rabbit proposed for release has a 'realistic chance' of survival and one, strictly speaking could fall foul of the 1954 Act!

Incidently, I believe there are moves afoot to introduce a formal Licencing system for wildlife rescuers in the next few years. If this happens, it will very likely be illegal for unlicensed 'rescuers' to release (or indeed, take into 'care') any wild bird or animal. Those 'Licensed' will presumably find themselves saddled with a load of conditions and subject much more stringently to statutory guidelines.