Analyzing For The Birds of Acadiana's 2025 Wildlife Rehabilitation Statistics and Their Impacts on Conservation Efforts
- For The Birds
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Wildlife rehabilitation demands patience, skill, and countless hours of dedication. For The Birds of Acadiana, 2025 was a year marked by significant successes and challenges in caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. This analysis explores their rehabilitation statistics, focusing on birds and bats admitted during the reporting period. Understanding these numbers sheds light on the realities of wildlife care and highlights the importance of supporting organizations committed to conservation.
Total Admissions Overview
During 2025, For The Birds of Acadiana admitted a total of 1,477 animals, with 1,455 birds and 22 bats. These animals represented a wide variety of species, with birds alone covering 103 different species and mammals consisting of 5 species. This volume reflects the organization's critical role in the region’s wildlife care network.
The large number of bird admissions compared to bats highlights the organization's specialization and the prevalence of bird-related cases in their service area.
Breakdown of Bird Species and Outcomes
Among the 1,455 birds admitted:
20 birds were still pending outcome decisions at the time of reporting.
809 birds were successfully released back into the wild.
279 birds died during care.
153 birds were euthanized, often due to severe injuries or poor prognosis.
The survival rates provide deeper insight:
First 24-hour survival rate: 69.38%
Survival rate after 24 hours: 94.32%
These figures indicate that once birds survive the critical initial day, their chances of recovery and release improve significantly. The high number of species cared for also suggests that the team can adapt care protocols to meet diverse needs, from small songbirds to larger seabirds.
Bat Rehabilitation Statistics
In contrast, bats admitted numbered only 22, across 5 species. Their outcomes were:
1 bat pending release.
5 bats released.
14 bats died.
0 bats euthanized or transferred.
Survival rates for mammals were:
First 24-hour survival rate: 28.57%
Survival rate after 24 hours: 46.15%
The difference in survival rates between birds and bats reflects several factors. Bats often arrive in more critical condition or suffer from injuries that can complicate rehabilitation.
Implications for Wildlife Rehabilitation Efforts
These statistics reveal several important points for wildlife rehabilitation:
Early intervention is critical. The first 24 hours are decisive for survival, especially for mammals. Rapid assessment and treatment can improve outcomes.
Species diversity requires adaptable care. With over 100 bird species admitted, protocols must be flexible and species-specific.
Euthanasia decisions reflect ethical care. The number of birds euthanized shows the difficult choices made to prevent prolonged suffering.
Comparing these results to industry averages provides context. According to national wildlife rehabilitation data, average release rates for birds typically range from 50% to 70%, while mammals often have release rates below 40%. For The Birds of Acadiana’s release rates align with these averages.
The Dedication Behind the Numbers
These statistics represent more than just numbers. They reflect the endless hours of care, monitoring, and treatment provided by dedicated staff and volunteers. Wildlife rehabilitation is physically demanding and emotionally taxing work. Each bird or bat admitted requires individualized attention, from feeding and supportive care to conditioning for release.
The survival rates show the impact of this commitment. Improving survival after the critical first day demonstrates the skill and persistence of the team. Yet, the losses remind us of the fragility of wildlife and the limits of human intervention.
Supporting For The Birds of Acadiana
The work of For The Birds of Acadiana depends heavily on community support. Donations fund supplies, food, and facility maintenance.
Supporting this organization means contributing to:
Saving hundreds of federally protected birds each year.
Protecting biodiversity in the Acadiana region.
Educating the public about wildlife conservation.
Moving Forward with Conservation
The 2025 statistics from For The Birds of Acadiana highlight the successes and challenges in wildlife rehabilitation. These insights can guide future efforts to improve care protocols and resource allocation.
For those passionate about wildlife, supporting rehabilitation centers is a direct way to make a difference. The dedication behind these numbers is a call to action: wildlife needs our help, and organizations like For The Birds of Acadiana are on the front lines.
220 Cambridge Dr.
Lafayette, LA 70503
337-501-4523
We are a licensed, non-profit wildlife rehabilitation facility funded solely through donations. Thank you for your support.
For The Birds of Acadiana is a non-profit organization, classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be deductible to the extent permitted by applicable laws. Consult with your tax professional for details. Our Federal Tax ID number is 85-1024416.