The number of birds admitted annually to the Wild Animal Rescue Centre (Rescue Centre) has dramatically increased in recent years. 

Prior to 2011 we received an average of 100 birds annually, taking 10 years to receive our first 1000th bird case. 

But this year, on 16th October 2017, we already accepted our 1000th bird case, a notable record for the Rescue Centre. And the year is not yet over.

So why the surge in bird rescue cases?

Two possible reasons:

Explanation 1: We believe that awareness and compassion for local wildlife is growing in the Hong Kong community.  No longer do people turn a blind eye in fear of Avian Influenza, SARS and the like. Instead they take pity and reach out a helping hand, or make that critical phone call to partners such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) to come to the rescue.

Explanation 2: In addition to this growing awareness and compassion, there is the less positive factor that more wild animals might be getting into trouble because of the increase in urban development over the years and encroachment of wild areas.

As was the case with our 1000th bird of 2017, a young Spotted Dove, many that come to us are fledglings, dispersed from their nests and not yet able to fly strongly or fend for themselves.

Some of those rescued are migratory, passing through the territory or stopping over for the winter.  These birds arrive in a weakened state after their long journey, and might be in need of a temporary respite after finding themselves in difficulties. After they have been taken care of, they are released to continue their migration.

Some birds like raptors misjudge their daredevil antics, chasing after moving prey on busy roads and highways, and falling victim themselves to vehicles.

And for some, our urban jungle of reflective glass facades and windows belies the promise of mountains and skies ahead. When birds unwittingly fly into these structures, it will leave them shaken and bewildered on the ground.

Hong Kong is host to an amazing diversity of birds with over 500 species recorded.  This poses a great challenge for the staff of the KFBG Wild Animal Rescue Centre who try to figure out how best to meet their dietary, husbandry and medical needs during their period of recovery.

Here are five bird species that the Rescue Centre received for the first time this year:

Heuglins Gull (28th January 2017) Thin and with a right eye injury.  It recovered and was released. 

Bar-tailed Cuckoo Dove (19th April 2017) Concussed and with a fractured clavicle. It recovered and was released.

Red-necked Phalarope (28th August 2017) Thin. It recovered and was released.

Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher (9th September 2017) Suspected impact trauma. It recovered and was released.

Aleutian Tern  (23rd September 2017) Unfortunately died in transit to the centre. 

If you encounter a bird that is clearly injured or in an unsafe environment,  please contact the AFCD at 1823 or SPCA at 27111000 for further assistance.

If you encounter a baby bird in the wild, please find out what to do here: https://www.kfbg.org/en/KFBG-blog/post/What-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-baby-bird-in-the-wild/