Why does the hospital warn against prolonged human contact with wildlife?

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Prolonged human contact poses a risk to wildlife's long-term survival by increasing habituation.

The hospital warns against prolonged human contact with wildlife because it significantly elevates the risk of animals becoming habituated to human presence. This habituation can ultimately harm their chances of survival once they are released back into their natural habitats. The longer animals remain under human care, the more they may lose their natural fear and avoidance behaviours, which are crucial for their independence in the wild.
Habituation hinders natural survival instincts

The primary concern with prolonged human contact is the development of habituation. When wildlife becomes accustomed to human interaction, they may lose the innate instincts necessary to forage, evade predators, and navigate their environment independently. This dependence on human care can make them vulnerable and less equipped to survive in the wild.
Increased risk of dependency on human care

Animals that spend extended periods in rehabilitation facilities may become reliant on the consistent provision of food and shelter by humans. This dependency is counterproductive to the goal of successful reintroduction into their natural ecosystems. The centre's head veterinarian, Dr Charlene Yeong, highlighted that "the longer they stay in human care, the higher the risk they become habituated."
Goal of rehabilitation is natural reintegration

The new facility at Mandai Wildlife Centre is designed as a full rehabilitation hub, aiming to prepare animals for a return to their natural habitats. While the veterinary team works diligently to treat and care for injured and orphaned animals, the ultimate objective is to ensure they can thrive independently. This necessitates minimising human imprinting and fostering natural behaviours.
Successful release rates underscore the importance of minimising habituation

The centre reports that approximately 62 per cent of animals treated are successfully released, in partnership with the National Parks Board. This success rate is contingent on the animals being physiologically and behaviourally prepared for life outside human care, reinforcing the importance of limiting prolonged contact to prevent detrimental habituation.

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Why does the hospital warn against prolonged human contact with wildlife?

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