Factors determining the survival or mortality of Nyctereutes procyonoides (Canidae) rescued by a wildlife rescue centre: Is urbanisation a threat to wildlife?

Effective wildlife conservation requires an understanding of species' ecological characteristics and identifying survival-threatening factors. Specifically, mitigating anthropogenic threats is imperative for wildlife facing human-wildlife conflicts, such as raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides). This study analysed data collected over 11 years on raccoon dogs rescued in South Korea, categorising 1,123 rescue cases, based on seven variables. Furthermore, it examined the impact of these variables on incident frequency and subsequent outcomes, including release and mortality. In raccoon dogs, rescue frequency was higher in autumn, in males and in juveniles, with incidents frequently occurring near buildings or involving parasitic infections. Causes of distress and triage were identified as key indicators when evaluating the release potential of rescued raccoon dogs. Additionally, the release potential was found to significantly decrease when they were rescued near roads or buildings or had experienced collisions with vehicles, highlighting urbanisation as a major threat to wildlife. This study provides guidance for the protection and management of raccoon dogs and supports the evaluation and improvement of wildlife rescue, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.