Wild Animal Rehabilitation

Project Overview

Nature Palestine Society operates an ongoing wildlife rehabilitation program dedicated to the rescue, treatment, and release of injured, confiscated, or illegally captured wild animals in Palestine. The program responds to increasing threats to wildlife resulting from illegal hunting, habitat disturbance, and wildlife trafficking. Through close collaboration with environmental authorities and law enforcement agencies, the initiative provides care and rehabilitation for affected animals and facilitates their safe reintroduction into natural habitats, while also raising public awareness about wildlife protection.

Objectives

To rehabilitate injured and confiscated wildlife and support their safe return to natural habitats while promoting public awareness about biodiversity conservation and the consequences of illegal hunting.

Key Activities

The program provides veterinary care, rehabilitation, and monitoring for wildlife that are injured, captured, or confiscated by authorities. Animals are transferred to Nature Palestine Society through coordination with environment Quality Authority and law enforcement bodies (Tourism Police). Rehabilitation processes include medical treatment, recovery in controlled environments, and preparation for release into suitable natural habitats. The program also organizes public release events and awareness activities that engage communities and highlight the ecological importance of wildlife conservation.

Results and Impact

Since its establishment, the program has successfully rehabilitated and released numerous wildlife species back into their natural habitats. These include approximately 75 raptor bird species such as Short-toed Snake Eagle, Black Shoulder Kites, Black Kites, Golden Eagle, Eagle owls, Bonelli’s eagles, kestrels, black-shouldered kites, long-legged buzzards, chukars, and short-toed snake eagles. The program has also supported the rehabilitation and release of around 25 Palestinian mountain gazelles, a critically endangered mammal in the region, as well as other wildlife species including red foxes. These efforts contribute to strengthening biodiversity protection and raising public awareness of wildlife conservation in Palestine.

Strategic Contribution

The wildlife rehabilitation program supports national efforts to protect biodiversity by providing practical assistance to the Environment Quality Authority responsible for wildlife protection and enforcement. It also serves as an important platform for environmental

education and public engagement, promoting responsible interaction with wildlife and strengthening community awareness of conservation issues. Through its partnerships with governmental institutions, the program contributes to improving coordination and response mechanisms for wildlife protection in Palestine.---