Future Prospects of Rescued Raptors that cannot be Released in Kushiro Shitugen Wild Life Center

Abstract

Rare Species listed in the “Law for the Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” cannot be euthanized unless they are infected with dangerous infectious diseases. Therefore, rescued wild animals that cannot be released are kept in captivity until their death in rehabilitation centers. In Kushiro Shitugen Wild Life Center, we rescue about 20 Steller’s Sea Eagles and White Tailed Eagles annually. Under such conditions, the numbers of eagles that are unable to be released and kept for long-term are increasing. Now, at the center, these eagles are used for blood transfusion, education, and development of accident prevention measures. However, only few of the birds are actually used. Since the capacity of the center is limited, it is necessary to develop systems to make full use of the birds that are unable to be released, and at the same time, regulation of euthanasia on rare species must be reconsidered.