Czech wildlife rescue stations report record surge in animals — up 21% year-on-year

Wildlife rescue stations across Czechia took in 21% more animals and birds in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the Czech Union for Nature Conservation (ČSOP).

The workload traditionally peaks in May and June, when young animals are born. In May, admissions rose by 948 animals year-on-year, and in June — according to preliminary figures — by as many as 1,875. The final days of June proved especially demanding: on 29 June alone, stations took in more than 580 animals, followed by over 550 on 28 June and more than 410 on 27 June. The same trend has continued into July.

During the hot spells, the stations were flooded above all with birds that nest on buildings or close to human dwellings — common swifts, common kestrels, barn and house swallows, and house sparrows.

"The stations are coping with this seasonal surge at the very limit of their capacity — both in terms of space and staff resources. When animals arrive by the thousand while state funding only comes through in the second half of the year, the stations simply have no reserve left to keep operations stable," said ČSOP spokesperson Marta Kroča Bríndová.

Conservationists say the rescue stations have suffered from chronic underfunding for years. State support arrives late and, on average, covers less than a third of the stations' actual running costs. More than two-thirds of expenses fall on private donors.

Bríndová said ČSOP is grateful for support from the Ministry of the Environment, regions, towns, municipalities and private donors. "But without stable, predictable and timely funding, individual stations — or even the whole network — risk gradually disappearing," she warned.

Anyone can help support the rescue stations by donating to the "Zvířata v nouzi" (Animals in Need) collection account (account number 33553322/0800) or through a dedicated donation portal.

Around Prague, based on reporting by ekolist.cz