World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/should-cats-be-kept-indoors-or-outdoors): Should cats be kept indoors or outdoors?

## Quick answer
Indoor-only cats can live very well if their environment is enriched, while outdoor access carries risks from roads, disease, injury, theft and wildlife predation. The best choice depends on location, cat temperament and safe alternatives such as catios.

## Detail 1
Indoor life is not automatically boring if cats have climbing, scratching, play, hiding, windows, scent enrichment and routine.

## Detail 2
Outdoor roaming may expose cats to hazards and can also affect birds, reptiles and small mammals.

## Detail 3
A secure garden, catio, harness training or supervised outdoor time can balance welfare and safety for some cats.

## Key takeaway
Indoor cats need enrichment, not empty rooms.

## Key takeaway
Outdoor roaming increases injury and disease risks.

## Key takeaway
Cats can affect local wildlife.

## Key takeaway
Catios and secure gardens can be a safer middle ground.

## Why this question matters
Cat welfare and wildlife protection are often framed as opposites. In practice, good enrichment and safe access can reduce conflict.

## The welfare-first answer
An indoor cat needs daily play, vertical space, scratching, hiding and choice. An outdoor cat needs risk assessment: roads, predators, disease, conflict and local wildlife.

## What to do next
Audit your home and area. If roaming is unsafe, build enrichment and consider a catio, secure garden or supervised outdoor routine.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/should-cats-be-kept-indoors-or-outdoors): Should cats be kept indoors or outdoors?

## Are indoor cats unhappy?
Not if their behavioural needs are met with enrichment, play and choice.

## Can an outdoor cat become indoor-only?
Yes, but transition gradually and increase enrichment to prevent frustration.

## Do cats harm wildlife?
Free-roaming cats can kill birds, reptiles and mammals, especially in sensitive habitats.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-stray-dog): What should you do if you find a stray dog?

## Quick answer
If you find a stray dog, keep yourself safe, avoid chasing, check for ID from a distance, contain the dog only if it is safe and contact the local dog warden, council, shelter or vet scanning service. Do not simply keep the dog.

## Detail 1
A frightened stray may bolt into traffic or bite if cornered. Move slowly and use food only if it does not lure the dog into danger.

## Detail 2
In many places, stray dogs must be reported through official channels so guardians can be traced and the dog can be checked for a microchip.

## Detail 3
If the dog is injured, aggressive, trapped or on a road, call trained local help rather than handling alone.

## Key takeaway
Do not chase a loose dog.

## Key takeaway
Contain only if it is safe.

## Key takeaway
Report the dog to local authorities or a shelter.

## Key takeaway
A vet or authorised service can scan for a microchip.

## Why this question matters
A stray dog may be lost, abandoned, sick or frightened. The wrong reaction can push the dog into traffic or prevent reunification.

## The welfare-first answer
Containment is only helpful if it is safe. Use calm movement, distance and barriers. Avoid grabbing collars unless the dog is clearly relaxed and you can do so safely.

## What to do next
Photograph from a distance, note the location and contact the local authority, shelter or vet service. For immediate danger, call emergency local help.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-stray-dog): What should you do if you find a stray dog?

## Can I keep a stray dog I found?
You should report the dog through local rules first so any guardian can be traced.

## Should I feed a stray dog?
Small amounts may help containment, but do not lure a dog into roads or create crowding.

## What if the dog is aggressive?
Keep distance and call trained local help. Do not attempt capture alone.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-if-you-find-an-injured-bird): What should you do if you find an injured bird?

## Quick answer
If you find an injured bird, keep it quiet, dark and warm in a ventilated box, avoid food or water unless advised and contact a wildlife rehabilitator, vet or local rescue. Handle as little as possible.

## Detail 1
Birds can die from stress as well as injury. Quiet containment is safer than repeated checking or handling.

## Detail 2
Do not try to splint wings, bathe wounds or force-feed. Incorrect help can make injuries worse.

## Detail 3
If the bird is in immediate danger, move it only the shortest safe distance and call trained help.

## Key takeaway
Use a ventilated box, darkness and warmth.

## Key takeaway
Do not force food or water.

## Key takeaway
Contact a wildlife rehabilitator or vet.

## Key takeaway
Minimise handling and noise.

## Why this question matters
Small wildlife often looks easy to help, but birds are fragile and stress-sensitive. Rapid, calm triage matters.

## The welfare-first answer
A secure ventilated box in a quiet room gives the bird the best chance while you contact professional help. Keep children and pets away.

## What to do next
Use gloves or a towel only if safe, place the bird in a box and call a wildlife rescue or vet for species-specific instructions.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-if-you-find-an-injured-bird): What should you do if you find an injured bird?

## Should I give water?
Usually no unless a rehabilitator advises it. Birds can aspirate if water is given incorrectly.

## Can I keep the bird overnight?
Only while waiting for professional advice. Injured wildlife needs specialist care.

## What if it hit a window?
Even if it recovers briefly, concussion or internal injury is possible, so ask a wildlife professional.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-baby-bird): What should you do if you find a baby bird?

## Quick answer
If you find a baby bird, first decide whether it is a feathered fledgling or an unfeathered nestling. Fledglings usually should be left nearby; nestlings may need returning to the nest or help from a wildlife rehabilitator.

## Detail 1
A feathered fledgling on the ground is often learning to fly while parents feed it nearby. Removing it can harm its chances.

## Detail 2
A bare or very young nestling outside the nest is more urgent. If the nest is reachable and safe, it may be returned, then watched from a distance.

## Detail 3
If the bird is injured, cold, caught by a cat or in immediate danger, contact wildlife help.

## Key takeaway
Feathered fledglings often belong on the ground.

## Key takeaway
Nestlings may need returning or rescue help.

## Key takeaway
Keep cats and dogs away.

## Key takeaway
Injured or cold chicks need trained advice.

## Why this question matters
Well-meaning rescue can separate young birds from parents. Fledglings often look vulnerable while they learn to fly.

## The welfare-first answer
If the bird is feathered, alert and hopping, move it only out of immediate danger and watch from a distance. If it is naked, cold or injured, seek help quickly.

## What to do next
Keep pets away, observe for parent visits and contact a wildlife rehabilitator if you are unsure.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-if-you-find-a-baby-bird): What should you do if you find a baby bird?

## Will parent birds reject a baby touched by humans?
Usually no. That is a myth, but unnecessary handling should still be avoided.

## Can I feed a baby bird?
Do not feed unless instructed. Wrong food or technique can kill.

## What if a cat caught it?
Contact a rehabilitator or vet, even if there are no obvious wounds.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/should-you-feed-stray-cats): Should you feed stray cats?

## Quick answer
Feeding stray cats can help, but only if it is part of responsible care: neutering, health monitoring, clean feeding stations and local rescue coordination. Feeding without neutering can increase colony size and long-term suffering.

## Detail 1
Food alone may keep cats alive but does not stop breeding, disease or conflict with neighbours and wildlife.

## Detail 2
Responsible community cat care pairs feeding with trap-neuter-return where appropriate, vet help for sick cats and adoption for socialised cats.

## Detail 3
Check local rules and work with a rescue rather than creating an unmanaged feeding site.

## Key takeaway
Feeding should be paired with neutering.

## Key takeaway
Keep feeding areas clean and discreet.

## Key takeaway
Sick or friendly cats may need rescue help.

## Key takeaway
Unmanaged feeding can increase suffering.

## Why this question matters
Community cats can breed quickly. Feeding without management may increase the number of kittens born into hardship.

## The welfare-first answer
A clean routine, neutering plan and rescue contact are more humane than random feeding. Friendly strays may be lost or abandoned pets and should be checked.

## What to do next
Record numbers, take photos, ask neighbours, check for local rescue support and prioritise neutering before the colony grows.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/should-you-feed-stray-cats): Should you feed stray cats?

## Is it bad to feed stray cats?
Not if it is responsible and paired with neutering and health monitoring.

## Should I stop feeding suddenly?
Sudden stopping can harm dependent cats. Work with local rescue advice.

## Can stray cats become pets?
Some can. Socialised cats and kittens may be suitable for adoption after checks.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-help-animals-in-hot-weather): How can you help animals in hot weather?

## Quick answer
Help animals in hot weather by providing shade, cool water, ventilation, short walks at cooler times and never leaving animals in hot cars. Watch for heatstroke signs such as panting, collapse, drooling or confusion.

## Detail 1
Heat affects pets, working animals and wildlife. Brachycephalic dogs, older animals, young animals and those with illness are at higher risk.

## Detail 2
Avoid midday exercise, hot pavements and poorly ventilated rooms. Small animals need hutches moved out of direct sun.

## Detail 3
Heatstroke is an emergency. Cool the animal safely and contact a vet quickly.

## Key takeaway
Never leave animals in hot cars.

## Key takeaway
Provide shade, cool water and ventilation.

## Key takeaway
Avoid hot pavement and midday exercise.

## Key takeaway
Heatstroke needs urgent veterinary care.

## Why this question matters
Animals cannot cool themselves as easily as people assume. Heatstroke can become fatal quickly.

## The welfare-first answer
Prevention is the best welfare tool. Keep animals cool before distress appears, and treat panting, weakness, drooling or confusion as warning signs.

## What to do next
Move animals to shade, offer water, cool carefully and contact a vet for serious signs. Report animals trapped in hot cars through local emergency channels.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-help-animals-in-hot-weather): How can you help animals in hot weather?

## Is shaving a pet best in heat?
Not always. Coats can protect skin. Ask a vet or groomer before major clipping.

## Can dogs burn their paws?
Yes. If pavement is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for paws.

## Should wildlife be given water?
A shallow clean dish can help in hot spells, but keep it clean and safe.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-help-animals-during-fireworks): How can you help animals during fireworks?

## Quick answer
Help animals during fireworks by keeping them indoors, closing curtains, using safe hiding places, playing low background noise, walking dogs earlier and checking ID details. Severe noise fear should be discussed with a vet before fireworks season.

## Detail 1
Do not force frightened animals to come out of hiding. A safe den helps them cope.

## Detail 2
Prepare before the event: update microchips, secure fencing, bring small pets indoors or into sheltered areas and avoid evening walks.

## Detail 3
If an animal panics, drools, soils, injures themselves or cannot recover, ask a vet about a behaviour and medication plan.

## Key takeaway
Prepare before fireworks start.

## Key takeaway
Keep animals indoors and secure.

## Key takeaway
Let animals hide safely.

## Key takeaway
Severe fear needs vet-led planning.

## Why this question matters
Fireworks cause panic, escape and injury in pets, horses, farm animals and wildlife. Preparation reduces risk.

## The welfare-first answer
A frightened animal needs control, cover and calm. Punishment or forced exposure can worsen fear.

## What to do next
Create dens, close curtains, secure doors, update microchips and plan exercise earlier in the day.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-help-animals-during-fireworks): How can you help animals during fireworks?

## Should I comfort a scared pet?
Yes. Calm support does not reward fear.

## Should I leave music on?
Low steady background sound can help some animals, especially when introduced before fireworks.

## Can medication help?
For severe fear, a vet may recommend medication as part of a behaviour plan.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-it-cruel-to-keep-rabbits-alone): Is it cruel to keep rabbits alone?

## Quick answer
Rabbits are social animals, so keeping a rabbit alone can be poor welfare unless there is a specific veterinary or behaviour reason. Most rabbits do best in compatible neutered pairs with enough space, enrichment and careful bonding.

## Detail 1
Human attention is not the same as rabbit companionship. Rabbits groom, rest and communicate with bonded partners.

## Detail 2
Bonding must be managed carefully because rabbits can fight. Neutering, neutral space and gradual introductions are important.

## Detail 3
Space matters too: a lonely rabbit in a small hutch has two welfare problems, not one.

## Key takeaway
Rabbits are social and usually need a rabbit companion.

## Key takeaway
Bonding should be slow and supervised.

## Key takeaway
Neutering helps compatibility and health.

## Key takeaway
Space and enrichment are essential.

## Why this question matters
Rabbits are still widely misunderstood as low-maintenance pets. Loneliness and confinement cause real welfare harm.

## The welfare-first answer
A bonded pair can groom, rest and communicate naturally. Introductions must be gradual because forced pairing can cause injury.

## What to do next
Speak to a rabbit rescue or vet about neutering, bonding and housing size before adding a companion.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-it-cruel-to-keep-rabbits-alone): Is it cruel to keep rabbits alone?

## Can a guinea pig be a rabbit companion?
No. Rabbits should usually have rabbit companions, not guinea pigs.

## Can two unneutered rabbits live together?
It is risky. Neutering helps health, behaviour and bonding.

## Is a hutch enough?
No. Rabbits need substantial exercise space and enrichment, not just a hutch.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/are-hamster-balls-safe): Are hamster balls safe?

## Quick answer
Hamster balls are not ideal and can be unsafe because they limit choice, ventilation and natural behaviour while increasing collision, fall and stress risk. A secure enriched playpen is usually a better option.

## Detail 1
A hamster in a ball cannot easily stop, hide, explore by scent or choose where to go.

## Detail 2
Balls can roll into walls, stairs, heat sources or other pets. Ventilation and trapped toes are also concerns.

## Detail 3
Use a secure playpen with tunnels, hides, bedding and supervised exploration instead.

## Key takeaway
Hamster balls can cause stress and injury.

## Key takeaway
They limit normal exploration and choice.

## Key takeaway
Playpens with hides and enrichment are better.

## Key takeaway
Supervise all out-of-cage time.

## Why this question matters
Many small-pet products are sold as fun while ignoring how the animal experiences them.

## The welfare-first answer
Hamsters rely on scent, hiding and controlled movement. A ball removes much of that control and can turn exercise into stress.

## What to do next
Set up a safe pen with hides, tunnels and familiar bedding. Keep other animals away and supervise closely.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/are-hamster-balls-safe): Are hamster balls safe?

## Do hamsters enjoy balls?
Some may run, but running does not prove enjoyment. It may reflect stress or inability to stop.

## How can hamsters exercise safely?
Use a large suitable wheel, deep bedding and supervised enriched play space.

## Are all small-pet toys safe?
No. Check for size, ventilation, trapping risks and whether the animal has choice.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-declawing-cats-cruel): Is declawing cats cruel?

## Quick answer
Declawing cats is widely considered cruel because it amputates the end bones of the toes and can cause pain, lameness, biting, litter problems and long-term welfare issues. Scratching posts, nail care and behaviour support are humane alternatives.

## Detail 1
Declawing is not a simple nail trim. It changes the cat's toes and removes a normal behaviour tool.

## Detail 2
Scratching is communication, stretching, nail maintenance and stress relief. The answer is to redirect it, not remove claws.

## Detail 3
Many places restrict or ban declawing except for genuine medical necessity.

## Key takeaway
Declawing is amputation, not nail trimming.

## Key takeaway
Scratching is normal cat behaviour.

## Key takeaway
Use scratching posts, nail care and enrichment.

## Key takeaway
Medical necessity is different from convenience.

## Why this question matters
People often search declawing when furniture damage starts. That is the moment to explain what the procedure actually is.

## The welfare-first answer
Scratching can be managed with sturdy posts, location changes, nail trimming, play, stress reduction and protecting furniture while new habits form.

## What to do next
Place scratching surfaces where the cat already scratches and reward use. Seek advice before considering any surgical intervention.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-declawing-cats-cruel): Is declawing cats cruel?

## Is declawing the same as clipping nails?
No. Declawing removes the end bone of each toe.

## Why do cats scratch furniture?
To stretch, mark scent, maintain claws and relieve stress.

## What if scratching is severe?
Look for stress, lack of enrichment or pain and ask a vet or behaviour professional.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-cropping-dogs-ears-cruel): Is cropping dogs' ears cruel?

## Quick answer
Ear cropping is a painful cosmetic procedure with no welfare benefit for ordinary pet dogs. It removes or reshapes part of the ear and can cause pain, infection, communication problems and long-term sensitivity.

## Detail 1
Ear cropping is usually done for appearance, not the dog's health.

## Detail 2
Dogs use ear position in communication. Changing the ear can affect expression and may create unnecessary pain.

## Detail 3
In many countries cropping is illegal or restricted, but imported cropped dogs can still fuel demand.

## Key takeaway
Ear cropping is cosmetic in most cases.

## Key takeaway
It can cause pain, infection and communication issues.

## Key takeaway
Demand for cropped looks fuels harm.

## Key takeaway
Choose natural ears and welfare-led breeders or rescues.

## Why this question matters
Cosmetic procedures persist because people create demand for a look. That demand can drive illegal or overseas cropping.

## The welfare-first answer
The dog gains no normal pet welfare benefit from ear cropping. Pain, aftercare and altered communication are real costs.

## What to do next
Do not buy cropped dogs as a status look. Report suspected illegal cropping through local welfare authorities where applicable.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-cropping-dogs-ears-cruel): Is cropping dogs' ears cruel?

## Is ear cropping medically necessary?
Rare medical ear surgery is different from cosmetic cropping and should be vet-led.

## Are cropped ears natural for some breeds?
No. Cropped ears are surgically altered.

## Does cropping prevent ear infections?
There is no good welfare justification for routine cosmetic cropping to prevent infections.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-docking-dogs-tails-cruel): Is docking dogs' tails cruel?

## Quick answer
Tail docking can be cruel when done for appearance because it removes part of the dog's spine and can cause pain, infection and communication loss. Medical tail surgery is different and should only be done by a vet for a genuine health reason.

## Detail 1
Dogs use tails for balance and communication. Removing part of the tail can affect expression and welfare.

## Detail 2
Cosmetic docking is restricted or banned in many places, though exemptions vary for working dogs and medical cases.

## Detail 3
Buyers can reduce demand by avoiding cosmetic docking and choosing welfare-led breeders or rescues.

## Key takeaway
The tail is part of the spine.

## Key takeaway
Cosmetic docking has no pet welfare benefit.

## Key takeaway
Medical surgery is different from appearance-based docking.

## Key takeaway
Demand keeps the practice alive.

## Why this question matters
Docked tails are often treated as a breed look, but welfare should come before tradition or fashion.

## The welfare-first answer
A dog's tail carries movement and social signals. Removing it without medical need creates risk without benefit to the pet.

## What to do next
Do not reward sellers using cosmetic docking. If a dog needs tail surgery for injury or disease, it should be veterinary and medically justified.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-docking-dogs-tails-cruel): Is docking dogs' tails cruel?

## Is docking painless for puppies?
Young puppies still have pain responses, and the procedure can cause complications.

## Is medical amputation the same?
No. Surgery for injury or disease is different from cosmetic docking.

## Can a docked dog still communicate?
They can communicate, but tail loss may reduce important signals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-buying-a-puppy-online-safe): Is buying a puppy online safe?

## Quick answer
Buying a puppy online is risky unless you can verify the breeder, meet the puppy with its mother, see records, avoid pressure payments and check welfare in person. Online adverts are commonly used by puppy farms, brokers and scams.

## Detail 1
A polished advert does not prove good welfare. Photos can be stolen, locations can be staged and sellers can hide poor breeding conditions.

## Detail 2
Never accept delivery-only sales, excuses for not seeing the mother or pressure to pay deposits immediately.

## Detail 3
Consider adoption first, or use a welfare-led breeder who welcomes checks and gives full records.

## Key takeaway
Online adverts can hide puppy farms and scams.

## Key takeaway
Meet the puppy with its mother in person.

## Key takeaway
Avoid delivery-only and pressure deposit tactics.

## Key takeaway
Adoption is often the safer welfare route.

## Why this question matters
Puppy farms and brokers depend on speed, emotion and distance. Buyers may not see the breeding conditions behind the advert.

## The welfare-first answer
A welfare-led seller will answer questions, show health records, let you see the puppy with the mother and avoid rushing the sale.

## What to do next
Pause before paying. Search the phone number and images, ask for records, visit in person and be ready to walk away.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-buying-a-puppy-online-safe): Is buying a puppy online safe?

## Is home delivery a red flag?
Yes. Delivery-only sales prevent welfare checks and can hide brokers.

## Should I pay a deposit before visiting?
Avoid pressure deposits before you verify the puppy and seller.

## Is adoption safer?
Often yes, if the rescue is transparent and provides support.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-avoid-puppy-mills): How do you avoid puppy mills?

## Quick answer
Avoid puppy mills by refusing rushed sales, delivery-only offers, hidden mothers, missing records, multiple litters and sellers who will not show where puppies are raised. Adoption or a transparent welfare-led breeder is safer.

## Detail 1
Puppy mills rely on demand for convenient, cute puppies. The buyer rarely sees the parent dogs who suffer behind the scenes.

## Detail 2
Meet the puppy with the mother, ask for health testing, check paperwork and leave if the seller pressures you.

## Detail 3
Do not buy a puppy to rescue it from a bad seller. The payment funds another litter.

## Key takeaway
Meet the puppy and mother where they live.

## Key takeaway
Avoid pressure, secrecy and delivery-only sales.

## Key takeaway
Do not fund bad breeders to rescue one puppy.

## Key takeaway
Report concerns to local welfare authorities.

## Why this question matters
Puppy mills are sustained by buyers who feel sorry for puppies or trust attractive adverts.

## The welfare-first answer
A responsible route is transparent about parent dogs, health, socialisation, records and returns. Secrecy is a welfare warning.

## What to do next
Use a checklist before viewing. If anything feels rushed or hidden, leave and report concerns where appropriate.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-avoid-puppy-mills): How do you avoid puppy mills?

## Why not buy the puppy to save it?
Because the seller is rewarded and may breed another litter.

## Are all licensed breeders good?
No. Licensing helps but does not replace welfare checks.

## What is the safest alternative?
A reputable rescue or a breeder who proves health, welfare and transparency.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-is-backyard-breeding): What is backyard breeding?

## Quick answer
Backyard breeding is casual or profit-driven breeding without proper health testing, welfare standards, socialisation, records or lifetime responsibility for the animals produced. It can create sick, fearful or unwanted pets.

## Detail 1
Backyard breeding is not always large-scale. A small litter can still be irresponsible if welfare, genetics and homes are ignored.

## Detail 2
Red flags include no health tests, no contracts, poor knowledge, repeated litters and no plan if puppies are returned.

## Detail 3
Responsible breeding is transparent, selective, welfare-led and prepared to support animals for life.

## Key takeaway
Backyard breeding can happen at small scale.

## Key takeaway
Health testing and socialisation matter.

## Key takeaway
Responsible breeders plan for lifetime welfare.

## Key takeaway
Poor breeding increases rescue pressure.

## Why this question matters
Unplanned or casual litters add to shelter pressure and can pass on preventable health and behaviour problems.

## The welfare-first answer
Welfare-led breeding starts before mating: health tests, temperament, homes, socialisation, contracts and a return plan.

## What to do next
Ask detailed questions. If the seller cannot explain health, genetics, socialisation and backup support, do not buy.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-is-backyard-breeding): What is backyard breeding?

## Is backyard breeding the same as a puppy mill?
Not always. Puppy mills are often larger-scale, but backyard breeding can still be low welfare.

## Can one accidental litter be harmful?
Yes, if homes, health and care are not properly managed.

## How can buyers reduce backyard breeding?
Avoid casual sellers and support adoption or welfare-led breeding only.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-tell-if-an-animal-rescue-is-legitimate): How can you tell if an animal rescue is legitimate?

## Quick answer
A legitimate animal rescue is transparent about governance, location, animal intake, vet care, adoption checks, fees, finances and outcomes. Be cautious if a rescue refuses questions, uses emotional pressure or cannot show where money goes.

## Detail 1
Legitimate rescues welcome scrutiny because transparency protects animals and donors.

## Detail 2
Check registration where relevant, policies, accounts, veterinary relationships, adoption contracts and whether animals are matched responsibly.

## Detail 3
Red flags include constant crisis fundraising without detail, no return policy, hidden animals, poor hygiene or pressure to adopt immediately.

## Key takeaway
Transparency is the strongest trust signal.

## Key takeaway
Ask about vet care, governance and outcomes.

## Key takeaway
Pressure and secrecy are red flags.

## Key takeaway
Check registration or legal status where relevant.

## Why this question matters
Animal rescue scams and poorly run groups can exploit compassion. Donors and adopters need practical trust checks.

## The welfare-first answer
A legitimate rescue protects animals with intake limits, vet care, quarantine, assessment, adoption matching and a realistic return policy.

## What to do next
Check legal status, public records, reviews, policies, photos, vet relationships and how the organisation responds to reasonable questions.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-tell-if-an-animal-rescue-is-legitimate): How can you tell if an animal rescue is legitimate?

## Does every rescue need charity status?
No. Legal structures vary, but the rescue should be clear about its status.

## Is emotional fundraising always bad?
No, but claims should be backed by evidence and clear use of funds.

## Should a rescue allow returns?
A welfare-led rescue should have a responsible process if a placement fails.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-donate-to-animal-charity-safely): How do you donate to an animal charity safely?

## Quick answer
Donate safely by checking the organisation's legal status, website, payment security, financial transparency, impact reporting and contact details. Avoid pressure tactics, vague emergency claims and requests to send money to personal accounts.

## Detail 1
Good animal charities explain what donations fund, what they cannot promise and how they are governed.

## Detail 2
Use secure payment routes and be cautious of social media appeals that cannot be verified.

## Detail 3
For charities, check the relevant public register. For non-charity organisations, look for clear company or nonprofit status and accountable reporting.

## Key takeaway
Check legal status and payment security.

## Key takeaway
Avoid personal-account transfers for unknown appeals.

## Key takeaway
Look for clear impact and finance information.

## Key takeaway
Be wary of pressure without evidence.

## Why this question matters
Animal suffering creates urgency, and scammers exploit that urgency. Safe giving keeps money flowing to genuine welfare work.

## The welfare-first answer
Reliable organisations are specific: what animal, what intervention, what partner, what cost and what accountability.

## What to do next
Donate through official websites, check registration or legal status and keep records of payments and receipts.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/how-to-donate-to-animal-charity-safely): How do you donate to an animal charity safely?

## Is a social media fundraiser safe?
It may be, but verify the organisation and payment route before donating.

## Should charities publish accounts?
Registered charities usually have public reporting duties. Other structures should still explain finances clearly.

## Can I restrict a donation?
Sometimes. Ask before donating if you want money used for a specific appeal.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-volunteering-abroad-with-animals-ethical): Is volunteering abroad with animals ethical?

## Quick answer
Volunteering abroad with animals can be ethical only when it supports qualified local teams, does not replace paid local jobs, avoids direct wildlife handling and puts animal welfare above tourist experience.

## Detail 1
Short-term volunteers should not handle dangerous, stressed or vulnerable animals unless properly trained and supervised.

## Detail 2
Be cautious of programmes selling cuddling, bottle-feeding, cub handling or orphan experiences to tourists.

## Detail 3
Ethical volunteering funds local capacity, follows biosecurity rules and uses volunteers for suitable support tasks.

## Key takeaway
Animal welfare must come before volunteer experience.

## Key takeaway
Avoid hands-on wildlife photo opportunities.

## Key takeaway
Support qualified local teams, not replacement labour.

## Key takeaway
Ask about training, supervision and impact.

## Why this question matters
Volunteer travel can fund real work, but it can also create demand for animals to be handled by tourists.

## The welfare-first answer
Ethical programmes limit contact, protect animals from stress and disease, and use volunteers only where training and supervision are appropriate.

## What to do next
Ask who runs the project, what qualifications are required, where fees go, what contact is allowed and how animal outcomes are measured.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-volunteering-abroad-with-animals-ethical): Is volunteering abroad with animals ethical?

## Is bottle-feeding wildlife a red flag?
Often yes. It can be staged for tourists and may harm rehabilitation.

## Can volunteers help at dog shelters?
Yes, when roles are supervised and do not replace needed local paid expertise.

## Should I pay to volunteer?
Fees can be legitimate, but they should be transparent and linked to real project costs.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/are-animal-cafes-ethical): Are animal cafes ethical?

## Quick answer
Animal cafes are ethical only if the animals can avoid visitors, rest properly, receive expert care and are not used as constant entertainment. Cafes with exotic animals, nocturnal species or forced handling are major welfare concerns.

## Detail 1
Animals in cafes may face noise, handling, disrupted sleep, poor escape options and stress from constant strangers.

## Detail 2
Cat cafes can be lower risk when linked to adoption, well managed and designed around cat choice. Exotic animal cafes are much harder to justify.

## Detail 3
A good venue limits numbers, contact and hours while providing hiding places and veterinary care.

## Key takeaway
Animal choice and escape routes are essential.

## Key takeaway
Forced handling is a red flag.

## Key takeaway
Nocturnal and exotic species are high risk.

## Key takeaway
Adoption-linked cat cafes need strong welfare standards.

## Why this question matters
Cute cafe content can hide chronic stress, especially for animals expected to perform sociability all day.

## The welfare-first answer
The animal should control contact. Safe rooms, hiding spaces, limited visitor numbers and expert monitoring are basic requirements.

## What to do next
Check the species, rules, rescue partnership, rest areas and handling policy before visiting.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/are-animal-cafes-ethical): Are animal cafes ethical?

## Are cat cafes always bad?
No, but they need strong welfare design and must let cats avoid visitors.

## Are owl or reptile cafes ethical?
They are much more concerning because species needs and stress risks are often poorly met.

## What is the biggest red flag?
Staff encouraging visitors to pick up, wake or restrain animals for photos.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-horse-carriage-riding-cruel): Is horse carriage riding cruel?

## Quick answer
Horse carriage riding can be cruel when horses work in heat, traffic, hard surfaces, poor harnessing or long shifts without rest. Welfare depends on conditions, but urban tourist carriage rides often raise serious concerns.

## Detail 1
Horses need rest, water, shade, safe footing, proper harness fit and protection from traffic stress.

## Detail 2
Busy roads, extreme weather, heavy loads and long hours increase welfare risk.

## Detail 3
Choose non-animal transport where welfare cannot be verified.

## Key takeaway
Traffic, heat and hard surfaces are major risks.

## Key takeaway
Harness fit and rest breaks matter.

## Key takeaway
Tourist demand can keep poor practices profitable.

## Key takeaway
Non-animal alternatives are safer when in doubt.

## Why this question matters
Working animals can be cared for well, but tourist pressure often rewards maximum rides rather than welfare.

## The welfare-first answer
A horse should not be lame, underweight, heat-stressed, overloaded or forced to work in dangerous traffic. Proper harnessing and rest are non-negotiable.

## What to do next
Look for body condition, soundness, water, shade, rest and traffic exposure. If you cannot verify welfare, choose another transport option.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-horse-carriage-riding-cruel): Is horse carriage riding cruel?

## Are all carriage rides cruel?
Not automatically, but many tourist settings create serious welfare risks.

## What signs show a horse is struggling?
Lameness, heavy sweating, dullness, wounds, poor condition or reluctance to move.

## Is supporting working-equine welfare better than riding?
Often yes. Donate to welfare work rather than paying for questionable rides.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/are-donkey-rides-cruel): Are donkey rides cruel?

## Quick answer
Donkey rides can be cruel when donkeys carry excessive weight, work in heat, lack rest, have poor hoof care or are handled harshly. Donkeys are strong but not machines; welfare checks matter before any ride.

## Detail 1
Donkeys hide pain and can keep working while suffering from poor feet, wounds, dehydration or exhaustion.

## Detail 2
Tourist rides may prioritise turnover over rest, shade and veterinary care.

## Detail 3
If welfare is unclear, do not ride. Support organisations improving working-donkey care instead.

## Key takeaway
Weight, heat, hooves and rest are key welfare issues.

## Key takeaway
Donkeys can hide pain.

## Key takeaway
Tourist demand can reward poor care.

## Key takeaway
Choose welfare support over questionable rides.

## Why this question matters
Donkeys support livelihoods in many places, but tourist riding can create avoidable suffering.

## The welfare-first answer
A donkey should have good body condition, clean skin, healthy hooves, shade, water and rest. Soreness or wounds are clear warning signs.

## What to do next
Do not ride if the donkey looks tired, lame, thin, wounded or overloaded. Choose donations or education programmes instead.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/are-donkey-rides-cruel): Are donkey rides cruel?

## Can children ride donkeys ethically?
Only where the donkey is healthy, appropriately loaded, rested and well supervised.

## Why do donkeys keep walking if hurt?
Donkeys may be stoic and show pain subtly, so visible suffering can mean the problem is serious.

## What is a better way to help?
Support veterinary, hoof-care and owner-education programmes for working donkeys.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-it-ethical-to-visit-a-safari-park): Is it ethical to visit a safari park?

## Quick answer
Visiting a safari park can be ethical when animals have large appropriate habitats, no forced performances, no cub handling, strong veterinary care and conservation value. Avoid parks built around selfies, feeding shows or close-contact entertainment.

## Detail 1
The word safari does not guarantee welfare. Some parks are conservation-led; others are entertainment venues with wild animals.

## Detail 2
Look for space, species-appropriate grouping, quiet retreat areas, no breeding for interaction and transparent conservation work.

## Detail 3
If visitors can touch big cats, bottle-feed cubs or pose with wild animals, do not support it.

## Key takeaway
No-contact observation is the ethical default.

## Key takeaway
Space and retreat areas matter.

## Key takeaway
Cub handling is a major red flag.

## Key takeaway
Conservation claims should be specific and transparent.

## Why this question matters
Visitors often want conservation experiences, but close-contact attractions can exploit that intent.

## The welfare-first answer
Animals need species-appropriate space, social grouping, privacy and care. Visitor access should never depend on forced handling.

## What to do next
Check policies, accreditation, conservation claims, breeding practices and whether animals can avoid public view.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/is-it-ethical-to-visit-a-safari-park): Is it ethical to visit a safari park?

## Is a drive-through safari better than a zoo?
Not automatically. Welfare depends on management, space, care and visitor rules.

## Are feeding experiences ethical?
They can be concerning if they create stress, dependency or crowding.

## What is the biggest red flag?
Direct contact with dangerous or wild animals for photos.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/why-you-should-not-release-pets-into-the-wild): Why should you not release pets into the wild?

## Quick answer
You should not release pets into the wild because they may starve, spread disease, become invasive, suffer from climate or predators and harm native wildlife. Rehome through a rescue, vet or responsible network instead.

## Detail 1
Captive animals often lack the skills to find food, shelter and safety.

## Detail 2
Released pets can also damage ecosystems, especially reptiles, fish, birds and small mammals that survive and breed.

## Detail 3
If you cannot keep a pet, ask a rescue, vet, shelter or species-specific group for surrender advice.

## Key takeaway
Released pets often suffer or die.

## Key takeaway
Some become invasive and harm wildlife.

## Key takeaway
Disease spread is a risk.

## Key takeaway
Responsible rehoming is the ethical route.

## Why this question matters
People may think release gives an animal a chance. In reality, it often causes suffering and ecological harm.

## The welfare-first answer
A captive animal may not recognise food, shelter, weather risks or predators. If it survives, it may compete with or prey on native species.

## What to do next
Call rescues, vets, shelters or specialist keepers. Be honest about behaviour and health so the animal can be placed safely.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/why-you-should-not-release-pets-into-the-wild): Why should you not release pets into the wild?

## Can I release aquarium fish into a pond?
No. Fish can spread disease, become invasive or die slowly.

## Can a pet rabbit survive outside?
Domestic rabbits are vulnerable to predators, disease and starvation.

## What if no rescue has space?
Keep contacting species-specific groups and ask vets for emergency surrender advice.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-with-an-unwanted-pet): What should you do with an unwanted pet?

## Quick answer
If you cannot keep a pet, do not abandon or release them. Contact the original rescue or breeder, a local shelter, a vet or a species-specific rescue, and be honest about health, behaviour and urgency.

## Detail 1
Rehoming early is kinder than waiting until crisis. Many organisations have waiting lists and need accurate information.

## Detail 2
Never give an animal away casually without checks. Free-to-good-home adverts can put animals at risk.

## Detail 3
If money is the problem, ask about food banks, low-cost vet care or temporary foster support before surrendering.

## Key takeaway
Do not abandon or release pets.

## Key takeaway
Contact rescues, shelters, vets or original breeders.

## Key takeaway
Be honest about behaviour and health.

## Key takeaway
Avoid casual free adverts without checks.

## Why this question matters
People search this when they are stressed, ashamed or out of options. Clear routes can stop animals being dumped.

## The welfare-first answer
Responsible rehoming protects the animal by sharing medical and behaviour information, screening homes and planning transport safely.

## What to do next
Make a list of local shelters, breed or species rescues, vets and previous carers. Explain the situation honestly and ask about emergency support.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-to-do-with-an-unwanted-pet): What should you do with an unwanted pet?

## Is surrendering a pet always bad?
No. Sometimes it is the safest welfare decision if done responsibly.

## Should I advertise a pet for free?
Be very cautious. Use checks, contracts or rescue help to reduce risk.

## What if I need help with food or vet bills?
Ask local rescues, vets or pet food banks before deciding you must give the animal up.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/orangutan): Orangutan — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Orangutans are Critically Endangered great apes found only in Borneo and Sumatra; all three species — Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli — face extinction driven mainly by habitat loss from palm oil and logging, plus the illegal pet trade.

## Introduction
Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling animals on Earth and the only great apes native to Asia. All three species — Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli — are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, each with a decreasing population trend. Palm oil expansion, illegal logging, and the pet trade are erasing their forest home at a pace that existing rescue infrastructure cannot absorb.

## Takeaway
Three species: Bornean (Pongo pygmaeus), Sumatran (Pongo abelii), and Tapanuli (Pongo tapanuliensis) — all Critically Endangered with a decreasing trend.

## Takeaway
The Tapanuli orangutan, formally described as a separate species in 2017, numbers fewer than 800 individuals, making it the rarest great ape on Earth and the most recently described.

## Takeaway
Females give birth roughly once every 7.6–8 years on average — the longest interbirth interval of any primate, so populations recover extremely slowly.

## Takeaway
Orangutans are the only great apes native to Asia and the largest tree-dwelling (arboreal) mammals on the planet.

## Takeaway
Conservation groups estimate that over 80% of suitable orangutan habitat has been lost in the past two decades; the IUCN documents an ~86% decline in the Bornean population across three generations.

## Takeaway
Orphaned infants found clinging to killed mothers are sold into the illegal pet trade or rescued and taken to rehabilitation centres, where full rehabilitation to soft release can take 5–10 years of specialised forest-school training.

## Why Are Orangutans Endangered?
The principal driver of orangutan decline is habitat loss. Lowland rainforest — where orangutans feed, nest, and raise young — is cleared for palm oil, pulpwood, and mining concessions at a pace that far outstrips population recovery. A female orangutan produces only four or five offspring in her entire lifetime, because she gives birth roughly once every eight years, the longest interbirth interval of any primate. When a forest block is cleared and breeding females are killed, a local population can be functionally destroyed within one generation. Hunting, snaring, and the illegal pet trade compound the pressure: infants are captured live when their mothers are killed, then sold as status pets or arriving at rescue centres in severe distress.

## What Does Orangutan Rehabilitation Involve?
Rehabilitation is a multi-year process that mirrors the long natural dependency of a wild infant, which stays with its mother for seven to eight years. Orphaned infants need round-the-clock medical care, then surrogate carers who teach the basics of forest life. Forest school — structured climbing, foraging, and nest-building sessions — must run daily for years. Before any release attempt, juveniles undergo a pre-release island phase to test their skills in a semi-wild environment. After soft release into a protected forest, rangers monitor individuals for up to two years. The entire process costs thousands of pounds per animal and requires purpose-built facilities that are consistently oversubscribed.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/orangutan): Orangutan — wildlife guide.

## The Palm Oil Connection
Palm oil is found in roughly half of all packaged supermarket products — from biscuits to shampoo. Global demand for cheap vegetable oil has driven the conversion of millions of hectares of Bornean and Sumatran rainforest into monoculture plantations. Certified sustainable palm oil schemes exist, but enforcement is patchy and deforestation continues, so certification alone does not guarantee a deforestation-free supply chain. Consumer awareness — and pressure on supply chains — is one lever. Expanding the rescue and sanctuary infrastructure to absorb displaced animals is another. WARN focuses on the second.

## Where Do Orangutans Live?
Orangutans survive in just two places on Earth. The Bornean orangutan ranges across the island of Borneo — the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan and the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. The Sumatran orangutan is confined to the northern tip of Sumatra, mainly Aceh and North Sumatra, while the Tapanuli orangutan survives only in the isolated Batang Toru forest of North Sumatra. All are dependent on tropical lowland and hill rainforest, the same forests being cleared fastest for plantation agriculture.

## WARN work
WARN partners with vetted rehabilitation centres in Indonesia and Malaysia to fund expanded nursery capacity, forest-school programmes, and post-release monitoring. We also support sanctuary land acquisition to provide permanent homes for orangutans who cannot be released back into the wild.

## Donation hook
A wild female orangutan raises only four or five young in her whole life, and a rescued orphan needs years of forest school before it can go home. Your gift helps fund the nursery care, forest-school training, and post-release monitoring that our rehabilitation partners in Indonesia and Malaysia provide for one orphaned orangutan on its multi-year journey back to the wild.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/orangutan): Orangutan — wildlife guide.

## How many orangutans are left in the wild?
The most recent IUCN Red List assessments put the Bornean orangutan at around 104,700 (last assessed 2016), the Sumatran orangutan at around 14,470 (assessed 2017), and the Tapanuli orangutan at fewer than 800 (described and assessed in 2017). All three are listed as Critically Endangered, and all show a decreasing trend — a collapse from historical population sizes.

## Why are orangutans called the "gardeners of the forest"?
Orangutans swallow and disperse large seeds across long distances as they travel and feed, making them a keystone species for forest regeneration. When they disappear from a forest, plant diversity declines and the ecosystem becomes less resilient.

## Can all rescued orangutans be returned to the wild?
Not always. Orangutans rescued as very young infants, or those kept as pets for years, may have lost the ability to survive independently and require lifetime sanctuary care. Those rescued young enough and rehabilitated fully can be soft-released into protected forest with monitoring support.

## What is the Tapanuli orangutan?
The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) was only formally described as a distinct species in 2017, making it the most recently recognised great ape. It is found only in the Batang Toru forest of North Sumatra and numbers fewer than 800 individuals — making it the rarest great ape on Earth.

## Does buying sustainable palm oil help orangutans?
Certified sustainable palm oil can reduce pressure on forests, but certification does not guarantee that no deforestation occurred. The most effective consumer action is to push brands toward stricter no-deforestation commitments while also supporting rescue and rehabilitation infrastructure for displaced animals.

## What do orangutans eat?
Orangutans are frugivores: fruit makes up the bulk of their diet — roughly 60% of foraging time — supplemented by leaves, bark, flowers, honey, and insects. Because they swallow and scatter large seeds across the forest, they are vital seed dispersers.

## How long do orangutans live, and how big do they get?
Wild orangutans typically live around 30–45 years, and individuals in human care can reach 50–60 years. Males are about twice the size of females, reaching roughly 90 kg in the wild (more in captivity) versus around 37–50 kg for females, with an arm span that can reach about 2 metres — longer than their standing height.

## Where do orangutans live?
Orangutans live in Indonesia, Malaysia. Orangutans are Critically Endangered great apes found only in Borneo and Sumatra; all three species — Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli — face extinction driven mainly by habitat loss from palm oil and logging, plus the illegal pet trade.

## Are orangutans dangerous?
Palm oil expansion, illegal logging, and the pet trade are erasing their forest home at a pace that existing rescue infrastructure cannot absorb. Give wild orangutans space; do not corner or handle them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/macaw): Macaw — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Macaws are large, long-tailed tropical parrots native to Central and South America; status varies by species, with several — including the blue-throated and Spix's macaws — Critically Endangered or Extinct in the Wild due to the illegal pet trade and deforestation.

## Introduction
Macaws are the largest parrots in the world — the hyacinth macaw is the longest parrot of all, reaching about a metre from bill to tail. Scarlet, blue-and-yellow and hyacinth macaws are targeted by poachers across the Neotropics for the illegal pet trade, and habitat loss compounds the pressure. Conservation status varies sharply across the roughly 18 species: some remain widespread, while others — such as the blue-throated macaw and the Spix's macaw — sit among the rarest birds on Earth.

## Takeaway
The Spix's macaw was declared Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN in 2019, after the last known wild bird disappeared at the end of 2000; captive-bred birds have been released into the Caatinga of Bahia, Brazil, since June 2022.

## Takeaway
The hyacinth macaw is the world's largest flying parrot and the longest parrot overall; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, with roughly 4,700–11,000 mature individuals (about 4,300 in the headline IUCN estimate) and a stable trend.

## Takeaway
Macaws are taken as chicks from nest cavities in hollow trees — poachers often fell entire trees to reach a single nest.

## Takeaway
Chicks suffer very high mortality in transit: dehydration, stress and disease kill the majority before they reach a buyer.

## Takeaway
Macaws are generally monogamous and long-lived — commonly 30–50 years in the wild and 50–60 in captivity, with exceptional birds older — so illegal possession creates a decades-long welfare burden.

## Takeaway
Range states such as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil feature repeatedly as source and transit countries for trafficked macaws.

## How Is the Macaw Trade Organised?
The illegal macaw trade operates in layers. Local poachers in source countries locate nest trees, extract chicks, and sell to regional middlemen. Chicks are transported — often stuffed into PVC tubes, cloth sacks, or hidden in vehicle panels — to urban markets or export hubs. Corrupt officials can facilitate export to demand markets in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. By the time a live bird reaches its buyer, many others have died in transit. The trade is driven by consumer demand for exotic pets and, in some cases, by collectors seeking rare colour variants and the scarcest species.

## What Happens to Rescued Macaws?
Macaws seized at ports of entry or rescued from trade networks arrive at reception centres in poor condition — malnourished, dehydrated, and often with wing injuries from clipping or confinement. Triage involves rehydration, medical assessment, and quarantine. Birds with intact flight feathers and no severe imprinting can progress through rehabilitation and, eventually, soft release into protected habitat. Imprinted birds — those raised in prolonged human contact — cannot be released safely and require lifetime aviary care. The shortage of appropriate sanctuary facilities means many confiscated birds have nowhere adequate to go.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/macaw): Macaw — wildlife guide.

## Behaviour, Diet and the Clay Licks
Macaws are intensely social, flying in noisy pairs and flocks and bonding monogamously. Their diet is mainly seeds, nuts, fruit and flowers; the hyacinth macaw specialises on very hard palm nuts, such as acuri and bocaiuva, which its powerful beak can crack. In parts of the western Amazon, macaws and other parrots gather at exposed riverbank clay banks to eat soil — a behaviour called geophagy. The leading explanations are that the clay helps buffer plant toxins and supplies sodium, which is scarce in inland forests. These clay licks are a major draw for ecotourism, which gives local communities a living reason to keep the birds wild.

## Macaw Conservation in Practice
Effective macaw conservation requires simultaneous work on multiple fronts: protecting nesting trees in key forest areas, working with customs authorities to improve detection at borders, building triage and rehabilitation capacity at receiving centres, and running community education programmes in source areas. Nest box programmes have shown strong results for several species — providing alternative nest sites that are easier to monitor and protect than hollow trees. The recovery of Lear's macaw, from about 60 birds in 1983 to more than 2,500 counted in 2024, shows what sustained, coordinated protection can achieve. WARN's in-network focus for this work is Colombia and Brazil; other macaw range states such as Peru and Bolivia feature as wider range and search context.

## WARN work
WARN's in-network parrot focus is Colombia and Brazil, where it funds partner rescue and rehabilitation centres for triage capacity, aviary infrastructure, and soft-release programmes, and supports customs-detection training to improve interception rates at key border points. Other macaw range states feature as wider search context.

## Donation hook
When a trafficked macaw is intercepted at a Colombian or Brazilian port, the hard part has only just begun — weeks of rehydration, quarantine and flight reconditioning before any bird can be assessed for soft-release, plus permanent aviary care for imprinted birds that can never go home. WARN funds the partner reception centres in macaw range countries that do exactly this work, so a gift helps keep a triage place open for the next confiscation.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/macaw): Macaw — wildlife guide.

## What is the most trafficked bird in the world?
Parrots — including macaws — collectively make up the most heavily trafficked group of birds in the illegal wildlife trade, with tens of thousands entering trade each year according to CITES and trade-monitoring data. Among individual species, the African grey parrot and various macaws and Amazon parrots consistently appear at the top of seizure statistics.

## Why do so many macaws die in the illegal trade?
Poachers extract young chicks before they can fly, when they are most vulnerable, then transport them in cramped, dark, poorly ventilated conditions without food or water. Dehydration, stress-induced immune collapse and injury mean the majority of trafficked chicks die before reaching their destination — parrot-trade studies commonly cite mortality of well over half, and figures around 75% are frequently quoted for parrots overall.

## Can confiscated macaws be returned to the wild?
It depends on the individual bird's history and condition. Birds seized young, before extensive human contact, with intact flight feathers can sometimes be rehabilitated and soft-released. Most adult birds confiscated after years of captivity cannot be released safely — they lack foraging skills, predator awareness, and flock integration, and require lifetime aviary care.

## Is it legal to own a macaw?
In many countries it is legal to own captive-bred macaws, but rules vary by species and jurisdiction. Macaws are listed on CITES Appendix I or II, which restricts or prohibits commercial international trade in wild-caught birds. The core enforcement problem is that wild-caught birds are routinely laundered as captive-bred, which is difficult to detect without DNA or stable-isotope testing.

## Which macaw species are most at risk?
The Spix's macaw is Extinct in the Wild, with captive-bred reintroductions in Brazil since 2022. The blue-throated macaw, restricted to the Beni savannas of Bolivia, is Critically Endangered with roughly 200–500 birds in the wild. The glaucous macaw is Critically Endangered and possibly already extinct. Lear's macaw was downlisted to Endangered in 2009 and has recovered to about 2,500 birds, while the hyacinth macaw — the largest flying parrot — is Vulnerable, with roughly 4,700–11,000 mature individuals.

## What is the largest macaw, and the largest parrot, in the world?
The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the largest macaw and the longest parrot in the world, reaching about one metre from bill to tail tip. It is also the heaviest flying parrot at up to roughly 1.7 kg; only the flightless kakapo is heavier overall.

## How long do macaws live?
Large macaws are long-lived. In the wild they typically reach about 30–50 years; in captivity 50–60 years is common, with exceptional individuals recorded at 70 or more. This longevity is one reason illegally kept birds create a welfare burden that can last decades.

## Why do macaws gather at clay licks?
In parts of the western Amazon, macaws and other parrots congregate at exposed clay banks to eat soil, a behaviour called geophagy. The leading explanations are that the clay helps buffer toxins in the seeds and unripe fruit they eat, and that it supplies sodium, a mineral that is scarce in inland tropical forests.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pangolin): Pangolin — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered.

## Introduction
Pangolins are widely described as the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals. All eight species are protected under international law, yet an estimated one million or more were taken from the wild over the past decade to supply black markets — chiefly in China and Vietnam — where their keratin scales are used in traditional medicine and their meat is sold as a luxury. The eight species are not equally threatened: the Chinese and Sunda pangolins are Critically Endangered, the Indian and Philippine pangolins are Endangered, and the four African species are Vulnerable. Every one of them is declining, and they are vanishing largely unseen.

## Takeaway
Eight species exist — four in Asia (Chinese, Sunda, Indian, Philippine) and four in Africa (Temminck's ground, giant ground, white-bellied/tree, black-bellied/long-tailed).

## Takeaway
They are not uniformly Critically Endangered: Chinese and Sunda pangolins are Critically Endangered, Indian and Philippine are Endangered, and the four African species are Vulnerable — but all eight are declining.

## Takeaway
Pangolin scales are made of keratin — the same protein as human fingernails and hair — yet sell for hundreds of dollars per kilogram in traditional medicine markets despite having no proven medicinal value.

## Takeaway
Pangolins are toothless myrmecophages: they use a long, sticky tongue to eat ants and termites almost exclusively, consuming on the order of 200,000 insects a day.

## Takeaway
When threatened, a pangolin curls into a tight, scaled ball — effective armour against lions and leopards, but useless against poachers, who simply pick the animal up.

## Takeaway
No program has yet bred pangolins in captivity and released them back to the wild at meaningful scale, which is why protecting wild populations is the priority.

## Takeaway
China and Vietnam are the principal demand markets, and Africa has increasingly become the source as Asian populations collapse.

## Why Are Pangolin Scales So Valuable?
Pangolin scales are composed entirely of keratin — the same structural protein found in human fingernails, hair and rhino horn — and have no scientifically proven medicinal properties. Despite this, they command high prices in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine, where they are claimed to treat conditions from poor circulation to lactation problems. Scales are typically dried, roasted and ground into powder. Demand has been driven by rising middle-class incomes in China and Vietnam, which turned luxury wildlife products — including pangolin meat in high-end restaurants — into aspirational goods. Consumer-awareness campaigns and tighter law have begun to shift attitudes, and in 2020 China removed pangolin scales from the approved ingredient list of its official pharmacopoeia, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

## The Shift to African Pangolins
As Asian pangolin populations collapsed, criminal networks pivoted to Africa. The two African ground pangolins (Temminck's in East and Southern Africa, and the giant ground pangolin in Central Africa) and the two tree-dwelling species in West and Central Africa are now poached at industrial scale and shipped to Asia. Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and East African ports appear repeatedly in major seizure records. The Africa-to-Asia trade typically runs through multiple transshipment points, using shipping containers and falsified customs paperwork, and individual multi-tonne scale seizures have been recorded.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pangolin): Pangolin — wildlife guide.

## Can Rescued Pangolins Survive?
Pangolins are notoriously hard to keep alive in captivity. They are specialist feeders dependent on particular ant and termite species, and they are easily stressed by handling and unnatural environments — leaving them prone to respiratory infection and digestive failure. A handful of programs have bred pangolins (a Sunda population to a third generation, and Chinese pangolins at zoos in Taipei and Prague), but none has yet bred and released animals back to the wild at meaningful scale. Rehabilitation can succeed when animals arrive in good condition and are held in semi-wild enclosures with natural forage, but success rates stay low. Prevention — stopping poaching before it happens — is the most effective intervention, which is why WARN concentrates on anti-poaching patrol support, community reporting and faster seizure response.

## Distribution & Habitat
Pangolins live across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The four Asian species range through South and Southeast Asia and southern China: the Chinese pangolin across southern China and the eastern Himalayas, the Sunda pangolin through mainland Southeast Asia and the Greater Sunda islands, the Indian pangolin across the subcontinent, and the Philippine pangolin only on Palawan. The four African species occupy forests and savannahs from West Africa to Southern Africa. Some, like the two Smutsia ground pangolins, are terrestrial burrowers; others, like the white-bellied and black-bellied pangolins, are arboreal and use a prehensile tail to climb.

## WARN work
WARN focuses current pangolin rescue funding on Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan, while keeping Vietnam, China and the African trade-route context live so supporters researching the wider pangolin crisis find accurate information. Because no captive-breeding-for-release program works at scale, that funding goes to protecting wild animals at source — anti-poaching patrols, community reporting networks and seizure-response teams in partner range countries.

## Donation hook
Because pangolins can't be reliably bred and returned to the wild, every animal still out there is irreplaceable — and protecting them at source is everything. Your gift helps fund the anti-poaching patrols, community reporting networks and seizure-response teams WARN supports across its pangolin range countries, stopping the trafficking before it starts.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pangolin): Pangolin — wildlife guide.

## What are pangolin scales made of?
Pangolin scales are made of keratin — exactly the same protein that forms human fingernails, hair and rhinoceros horn. They have no scientifically proven medicinal value. Despite this, they appear in traditional Chinese medicine and sell for hundreds of dollars per kilogram.

## How many pangolins are left in the wild?
There is no reliable global population estimate, because pangolins are nocturnal, solitary and live in dense vegetation. What is clear is that every species is declining: the IUCN's 2014 assessment estimated the Chinese pangolin fell by more than 80% over roughly 21 years (three generations), and the Sunda pangolin has seen comparable losses. All eight species have been listed as threatened on the Red List since 2014.

## Why are pangolins so hard to save in captivity?
Pangolins are specialist myrmecophages — they eat ants and termites almost exclusively and can consume on the order of 200,000 insects a day, which is extremely hard to replicate in captivity. They are also highly sensitive to stress, prone to respiratory infections and digestive problems, and easily injured when confined. A few zoos have bred pangolins, but none has yet succeeded in breeding and releasing them at meaningful scale.

## Is the pangolin trade legal?
No. All eight pangolin species were uplisted to CITES Appendix I — the highest level of protection — by a decision agreed at CITES CoP17 in 2016, which came into force on 2 January 2017, prohibiting commercial international trade. China removed pangolin scales from its official pharmacopoeia in 2020. Despite this, black-market trade continues because enforcement in source countries remains inadequate.

## What do pangolins eat?
Pangolins eat Myrmecophage — ants and termites; up to ~200,000 insects per day. Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered.

## Where do pangolins live?
Pangolins live in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan. Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered.

## Are pangolins dangerous?
Pangolins are not generally dangerous to people. Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do pangolins live?
Pangolins typically live Unknown in the wild; up to ~20 years recorded in captivity. Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a pangolin?
A Pangolin is about 30–90 cm head and body, plus tail (varies by species). Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/slow-loris): Slow Loris — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates from South and Southeast Asia; every species is threatened with extinction — ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered — largely because of the illegal pet trade, which is fuelled in part by viral social media videos.

## Introduction
Slow lorises are small, nocturnal primates native to the tropical forests of South and Southeast Asia. They are the only known venomous primates — venom is produced by a gland near the elbow and activated when mixed with saliva. They are also among the most heavily trafficked primates in the world, driven by demand for exotic pets fuelled by viral social media videos. Every slow loris species is threatened with extinction, ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered, and all assessed populations are declining.

## Takeaway
Every slow loris species is threatened with extinction and declining: the Javan and Bangka slow lorises are Critically Endangered, the Bengal, Sunda and Sumatran are Endangered, and the Bornean, Kayan and Philippine are Vulnerable.

## Takeaway
Before being sold as pets, slow lorises routinely have their teeth cut or pulled out with pliers or clippers — without anaesthetic — to prevent their venomous bite.

## Takeaway
Pet-trade mortality is severe across capture, transport and captivity; tooth removal causes infection and stress that many animals do not survive.

## Takeaway
The sight of a "ticklish" slow loris raising its arms in viral videos is actually a fear response — the animal is lifting its arms to access its venom gland.

## Takeaway
Slow lorises cannot be legally traded internationally — all species were uplisted to CITES Appendix I in 2007 — and possession is illegal in most range and import countries.

## Takeaway
Rehabilitation is possible but extremely difficult because of their specialist gum-and-insect diet, nocturnal habits, and the trauma and dental mutilation caused by captivity.

## Why Social Media Is Driving Extinction
Videos of slow lorises being "tickled" or held as pets have accumulated hundreds of millions of views across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Many viewers are unaware that the animal's raised arms represent a fear response to threat, not enjoyment. The videos create demand — people want one. To meet that demand, poachers take wild animals from the forest at night, using torches to freeze them (their eyes reflect the light via a layer called the tapetum lucidum, and sudden brightness disorients them), then cut or pull their teeth out so they cannot bite. Those that survive reach markets in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The trafficking networks running these markets have become sophisticated at evading enforcement, and the viral cycle continues.

## The Venom No One Talks About
Slow lorises are unique among primates in producing venom. The venom is formed by combining a secretion from a brachial gland near the elbow with saliva. It is used both for defence and in mother-infant interactions, where mothers coat their young to deter predators. The venom of some species can cause anaphylactic shock in humans — a documented case followed the bite of a wild Kayan slow loris. This is why pet slow lorises have their teeth removed — and why the operation, performed without anaesthetic by traders, is so often fatal. A slow loris without teeth is also unable to feed naturally, further compromising its welfare in captivity.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/slow-loris): Slow Loris — wildlife guide.

## What Happens at a Rescue Centre?
Slow lorises confiscated from markets or surrendered by owners arrive with multiple serious problems: dental mutilation, malnutrition, metabolic bone disease from an inadequate diet, severe stress, and sometimes injuries from confinement. Triage involves dental assessment, rehydration, and a carefully controlled reintroduction to natural food — primarily tree gum and sap, nectar, and invertebrates, the exudativore diet they are built for. Animals that cannot be released require lifetime sanctuary care in appropriately sized nocturnal enclosures. Those that recover sufficiently undergo pre-release assessment before soft release into protected forest.

## Taxonomy: One Genus Becomes Two
Slow lorises are strepsirrhine primates — relatives of lemurs and bushbabies, not monkeys. Most were long grouped in the single genus Nycticebus. In 2022 the pygmy slow loris was moved into its own genus, Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus, on the basis of genetic and morphological differences. Counting it, most current sources recognise nine slow loris species in total: eight in Nycticebus plus the pygmy slow loris. All belong to the family Lorisidae and share the same slow, deliberate, non-leaping climbing style and round, forward-facing eyes adapted for night vision.

## WARN work
WARN focuses current slow loris rescue funding on Indonesia and Malaysia, while keeping Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia context live for education about the wider viral pet-trade crisis.

## Donation hook
A rescued slow loris needs months of round-the-clock care — a controlled return to its natural gum-and-insect diet, dental treatment, and a quiet nocturnal enclosure — before it can even be assessed for release. Your gift helps WARN's partners in Indonesia and Malaysia fund that recovery, one loris at a time.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/slow-loris): Slow Loris — wildlife guide.

## Are slow lorises venomous?
Yes — slow lorises are the only known venomous primates. They produce venom by combining a secretion from a gland near their elbow with saliva. The venom is used for defence and can cause anaphylactic shock in humans, as documented after the bite of a wild Kayan slow loris. This is why slow lorises sold as pets have their teeth removed — an operation performed without anaesthetic that many animals do not survive.

## Why do slow lorises raise their arms?
When a slow loris raises its arms, it is not "enjoying being tickled" — it is accessing its venom gland in preparation for a defensive bite. The behaviour shown in viral videos is a fear response to being handled. The animal's eyes are also often called "cute" when in fact they are wide open because they are being exposed to bright light, which is painful and disorienting for a nocturnal animal.

## Can you keep a slow loris as a pet?
No. All slow loris species were uplisted to CITES Appendix I in 2007, making commercial international trade illegal. National legislation in range countries and in most import countries also prohibits possession. Any slow loris offered for sale has almost certainly been illegally taken from the wild.

## Are all slow loris species critically endangered?
No. Of the recognised slow lorises, only the Javan (Nycticebus javanicus) and Bangka (N. bancanus) are Critically Endangered. The Bengal, Sunda and Sumatran are Endangered, while the Bornean, Kayan and Philippine slow lorises are Vulnerable. Every assessed species is declining, so all are threatened with extinction even though they are not in a single category.

## What do slow lorises eat?
They are omnivores with a strong reliance on tree gum and sap, which makes them exudativores, supplemented by nectar, fruit, insects and the occasional small vertebrate. This specialist diet is one reason they are so difficult to feed correctly in captivity, and why rescued animals often arrive with metabolic bone disease.

## Where do slow loris live?
Slow Loris live in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam. Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates from South and Southeast Asia; every species is threatened with extinction — ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered — largely because of the illegal pet trade, which is fuelled in part by viral social media videos.

## Are slow loris dangerous?
They are the only known venomous primates — venom is produced by a gland near the elbow and activated when mixed with saliva. They are nocturnal and arboreal; slow, deliberate quadrupedal climbing (no leaping). Give wild slow loris space; do not corner or handle them.

## How long do slow loris live?
Slow Loris typically live Up to ~20 years in human care (pygmy slow loris averages ~17 years); wild lifespan poorly documented. Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates from South and Southeast Asia; every species is threatened with extinction — ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered — largely because of the illegal pet trade, which is fuelled in part by viral social media videos. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a slow loris?
A Slow Loris is about Up to ~20 years in human care (pygmy slow loris averages ~17 years); wild lifespan poorly documented. Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates from South and Southeast Asia; every species is threatened with extinction — ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered — largely because of the illegal pet trade, which is fuelled in part by viral social media videos.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sun-bear): Sun Bear — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine.

## Introduction
Sun bears are the smallest bears in the world, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. They are threatened by deforestation, the illegal wildlife trade, and the bear bile industry — in which bears are kept in tiny cages, sometimes for decades, and milked for bile used in traditional medicine. Most farmed bile bears are Asiatic black bears (moon bears), with sun bears a smaller share. Sun bears are also taken from the wild as cubs to be sold as pets.

## Takeaway
Sun bears are the smallest of the eight bear species, weighing 25–65 kg — comparable in size to a large dog.

## Takeaway
They act as keystone species in Southeast Asian forests, dispersing seeds and excavating tree cavities used by hornbills, flying squirrels and other wildlife.

## Takeaway
Bear bile farming — in which bears are kept in tiny "crush cages" and bile extracted through a fistula or catheter — remains legal only in China; Vietnam banned bile extraction in 2005, though a clandestine trade persists.

## Takeaway
Bear bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, a genuine medicine, but a synthetic version has been produced since the 1950s — so there is no medical need for farmed bile.

## Takeaway
Sun bear cubs are frequently taken from the wild after their mothers are killed — either for the pet trade or for farming.

## Takeaway
Rescued sun bears are intelligent and need complex, enriched environments; recovery from years of cage confinement can take years, and most can never be released.

## What Is Bear Bile Farming?
Bear bile farming is the practice of keeping bears in captivity and extracting bile from their gallbladders, typically through a permanently open hole (fistula) or a surgically implanted catheter. Farmed bears — overwhelmingly Asiatic black bears (moon bears), with sun bears a smaller minority — are often confined in "crush cages" so small they cannot stand upright or turn around. Some remain in these conditions for twenty years or more. The practice is now legal only in China, where bear bile is used in traditional medicine; Vietnam banned bile extraction in 2005, although a clandestine trade persists and the caged population there has collapsed from around 4,300 bears in 2005 to under 200 by 2024. Bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, a compound with real applications in treating liver disease and gallstones — but synthetic ursodeoxycholic acid has been available since the 1950s, so no medical use requires farmed bile.

## Sun Bear Habitat Loss
Sun bears depend on intact lowland tropical and montane forest. The conversion of Bornean and Sumatran forest to oil palm has eliminated vast areas of suitable habitat and brought bears into direct conflict with plantation workers, who frequently kill them as crop raiders. Across Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar, forest clearance for agriculture and development is the primary driver of population decline. Sun bears are cryptic and elusive — often crepuscular or diurnal in undisturbed forest but more nocturnal near people — and they travel large home ranges, so population declines often go undetected until local extinction has already occurred.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sun-bear): Sun Bear — wildlife guide.

## Life After the Bile Farm
Bears rescued from bile farms are among the most challenging animals to rehabilitate. Years of physical constraint cause muscle atrophy, joint deformity and dental damage. Psychological trauma manifests as stereotypic behaviour — repetitive rocking, pacing and bar-biting — that can persist for years in sanctuary conditions. Enrichment programmes, social companionship and large naturalistic enclosures significantly improve outcomes, but the overwhelming majority of bile farm survivors cannot be released into the wild. They require lifetime care at specialist facilities.

## WARN work
WARN focuses current bear rescue funding on Indonesia and Malaysia, while keeping the wider China and Vietnam bile-farming context live to explain the welfare crisis and the search demand around it.

## Donation hook
A sun bear pulled from a cage or the pet trade can't simply be released — recovering from years of confinement takes specialist veterinary care, enrichment and a forest-edge enclosure that may be needed for the rest of the bear's life. Your gift helps WARN fund local partners in Indonesia and Malaysia who do exactly this work, one bear at a time.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sun-bear): Sun Bear — wildlife guide.

## What is bear bile used for?
Bear bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), used in traditional Chinese medicine for conditions including liver disease, gallstones and fever. UDCA is also a mainstream Western medicine — but the synthetic version, produced pharmaceutically, has been available since the 1950s. There is no medical need to use farmed bear bile.

## Is bear bile farming legal?
Bear bile farming is now legal only in China, where it is regulated (though regulation is widely considered inadequate). Vietnam banned bile extraction in 2005, and bear farming has been phased out in South Korea; Japan and most other countries do not permit it. Captive bile bears are overwhelmingly Asiatic black bears (moon bears), with sun bears a smaller share; China's farms hold an estimated several thousand bears.

## How small is a sun bear?
Sun bears weigh between 25 and 65 kilograms — making them the smallest of the eight bear species, roughly comparable to a large dog. Despite their size, they are powerful animals with long, curved claws adapted for climbing trees and tearing open bee nests and termite mounds.

## Can sun bears rescued from farms be released into the wild?
Very rarely. Most bears rescued from bile farms have spent years in conditions that cause irreversible physical and psychological damage. They cannot forage for themselves, have lost their fear of humans, and lack the spatial knowledge needed to survive in the wild. Almost all require permanent sanctuary care.

## What do sun bears eat?
Sun Bears eat Omnivore — termites, ants, beetle larvae, bees and honey, figs and other fruit. Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine.

## Where do sun bears live?
Sun Bears live in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam. Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine.

## Are sun bears dangerous?
Sun Bears are domesticated animals and are not dangerous to people in the wild-predator sense. Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine. Usual risks are husbandry and handling, not unprovoked attacks.

## How long do sun bears live?
Sun Bears typically live Up to ~25 years in the wild; ~30+ years in captivity (one record ~36 years). Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a sun bear?
A Sun Bear is about Up to ~25 years in the wild; ~30+ years in captivity (one record ~36 years). Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spectacled-bear): Spectacled Bear — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The spectacled bear is South America's only bear species and the last surviving short-faced bear; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation, conflict with farmers, and the illegal wildlife trade.

## Introduction
The spectacled bear — also called the Andean bear and named for the pale, spectacle-like markings around its eyes — is the only bear species native to South America and the last surviving member of the short-faced bear subfamily (Tremarctinae). It inhabits Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia, a habitat under intense pressure from agricultural expansion, conflict crop cultivation, and infrastructure development.

## Takeaway
Spectacled bears are the sole surviving members of the short-faced bear subfamily (Tremarctinae), a lineage that once included the extinct giant short-faced bear.

## Takeaway
They are found across the Andean mountain chain from Venezuela to Bolivia, primarily in cloud forest, with a typical core band around 1,000–2,700 metres elevation.

## Takeaway
They are the largest land member of the order Carnivora in South America, though their diet is roughly 90–95% plant-based — fruits, bromeliads, palm hearts, and orchid bulbs.

## Takeaway
Adult males use home ranges on the order of ~23–61 km² depending on region and season — making them sensitive to habitat fragmentation, not the 600 km² sometimes claimed.

## Takeaway
They are killed by farmers protecting crops and livestock, though actual predation of livestock by spectacled bears is rare and often over-attributed to them.

## Takeaway
Cubs are sometimes orphaned and seized from the illegal pet trade after their mothers are killed, ending up in confiscation and rescue centres.

## The Cloud Forest Under Pressure
Andean cloud forest — the primary habitat of the spectacled bear — is among the most biodiverse and most threatened ecosystems on earth. In Colombia and Peru, illegal coca cultivation has penetrated previously intact cloud forest, bringing with it road construction, deforestation, and human settlement. Cattle ranching continues to push upslope as lowland pasture becomes degraded. Mining and oil concessions in the Andean foothills displace communities upward, increasing pressure on higher-altitude forest. The spectacled bear needs large, connected territories, so fragmentation of cloud forest into isolated patches is as damaging as outright loss. The IUCN identifies habitat loss and fragmentation as the leading driver of the species' decline.

## Conflict With Farmers
Spectacled bears occasionally raid crops — maize and sugarcane in particular — and are sometimes blamed for livestock losses that may actually be caused by pumas or feral dogs. Retaliatory killing is the most common cause of direct human-bear mortality. Farmers set snares and shoot bears that enter agricultural land, often without distinguishing between genuine and alleged crop raiders. WARN supports conflict-mitigation programmes that combine compensation for verified livestock losses with non-lethal deterrents and community engagement in bear-range communities.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spectacled-bear): Spectacled Bear — wildlife guide.

## Spectacled Bears in Myth and Reality
The spectacled bear is the species behind Paddington Bear's Peruvian origins. Author Michael Bond's character actually grew from a toy bear he bought near Paddington Station in 1956; the 'Darkest Peru' backstory and the spectacled-bear association came later, after it was pointed out that there are no bears native to Africa. The bear also holds deep cultural importance in indigenous Andean traditions, appearing in art, ceremony, and cosmology as a forest spirit. Despite this significance, legal protections in range countries are inconsistently enforced and wildlife-crime data are poorly collected. WARN works with local partner organisations that combine community relationship-building with practical conservation work.

## WARN work
WARN partners with rescue and rehabilitation centres in Colombia and Peru to fund care for confiscated and orphaned bears, and supports conflict-mitigation programmes in farming communities on the edge of bear habitat.

## Donation hook
When a mother spectacled bear is shot over a crop dispute, it is often her cub that survives — orphaned, sometimes seized from the illegal pet trade, and unable to fend for itself. Your gift helps WARN fund partner rescue and rehabilitation centres in Colombia and Peru that care for these confiscated and orphaned Andean bears, and the community conflict-mitigation work that prevents the next orphan.