Wild Animal Rescue

[Anchor Lead]

Many young wild animals get into accidents or get lost during this time of year. This year the number of such cases has surged 30 percent from last year due to the hot weather.

[Pkg]

A four-month-old white heron is transfered to a wildlife rescue center after receiving first aid. The bird fell into a lake while learning to fly, and became lost. A young water deer was found with serious injuries that it sustained when it was hit by a car as it was searching for food.

[Soundbite] Jeon Bo-won(Wild Animal Rescue Worker) : "When we arrived at the scene, we found the deer lying still with its hind leg injured. We captured it and brought it to our center."

The Gyeonggi Wild Animal Rescue Center has recently been receiving around 20 requests daily to rescue animals. Most of the animals have either been hit by cars or become lost while wandering in urban areas. This year the number of wild animal rescue cases has surged by more than 30 percent from the same period last year, and the number of animal species has also increased.

[Soundbite] Kang Cheong-keun(Veterinarian) : "The animals' populations are larger now because there is more food, but many young birds end up in accidents after leaving their nests, especially near apartment buildings."

Most of the rescued animals are released to the wild after receiving basic treatment, but those that have sustained serious injuries must undergo medical and rehabilitation treatment before returning to their habitats.