9. RELEASE
49. All animals for release must be healthy, fully fit and able to sustain themselves once free. Failure to comply with this may constitute an offence under the Abandonment of animals Act 1960.
50. Where practical, adult animals must be released in the area from which they came and preferably into their own territory. If the release of a territorial animal is not an option within approximately two weeks of capture, consideration must be given to a full rehabilitation and release programme.
51. Release sites must be selected with care. The release of animals directly from the rehabilitation centre is likely to be inadvisable in many cases.
52. The site for release must be suitable for the particular animal. Particular attention must be paid to the following:
suitability of habitat,
habitat carrying capacity,
territories already established in the habitat,
food availability,
manmade hazards, eg. roads, pest control operations, power cables, oil spillages, hunting, etc.
53. Weather conditions must be appropriate for the particular animal and release proposed; generally, no animal should be released in heavy snow, rain, wind, or extended wet, dry, hot or cold periods or if such conditions are imminent.
54. Where possible, and where useful information may be derived, animals should be marked on their release, subject to the appropriate licensing. However, the restrictions of animal numbers and the expense of some marking equipment may be prohibitive.
55. Where possible, arrangements should be made to monitor re-integration of the released animal into the natural environment.