E - Wild Animals
RSPCA Policy E1 Wild animals – General principles
1. 1 The RSPCA recognises that all wild animals, whether they are native, introduced, or considered a ‘pest’ are sentient, capable of experiencing pain and distress. Note: ‘Wild animals’ are animals (native and introduced) living and/or reproducing in the wild on land or in water.
RSPCA Policy E2 Management of wild animals
2. 1 The RSPCA acknowledges that in some circumstances it can be necessary to manage populations of wild animals, whether native or introduced; for instance, to: protect the welfare of individual animals. help conserve a vulnerable, threatened, or endangered native species. reduce adverse impacts on human activities.
RSPCA Policy E3 Rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals
3. 1 The RSPCA believes that humans have a moral responsibility to seek assistance, wherever possible, for individual wild animals who are found suffering for any reasons. 3. 2 Advice should be sought from a veterinarian where wild animals are found to be demonstrably sick/injured.
RSPCA Policy E4 Utilisation of wild animals
4. 1 Farming of wild animals 4. 1.
RSPCA Policy E5 Public exhibition of and interaction with wild animals
5. 1 The RSPCA opposes the taking of animals from the wild for public exhibition, due to the risk of injury, pain, suffering, or distress arising from the capture, transport, handling, and long-term confinement of these animals, and potential effects on the ecosystem from where they are taken. 5.
RSPCA Policy E6 Import and export of wild animals
6. 1 The RSPCA opposes the import or export of animals taken from the wild as the capture, transportation, confinement, and acclimatisation of wild animals poses risks of injury, pain, suffering, or distress. 6.
RSPCA Policy E7 Wild animal research
7.
RSPCA Policy E8 Aquatic species
8. 1 Fish 8. 1. 1 The RSPCA recognises that fish are sentient animals capable of experiencing pain and suffering. Therefore, fish should be treated humanely and practices that have the potential to cause injury, pain, suffering, or distress should be avoided.