Wildfires and heatwaves take a severe toll on French wildlife: how you can help

France’s extreme weather has left wildlife rescue centres struggling with an exceptional number of animals suffering from dehydration, heat stress and loss of habitat. 

The prolonged heatwave, combined with drought and wildfires, has taken a serious toll on French biodiversity, with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) warning that wildlife is in urgent need of help. 

"The centres contacted us because they were facing an enormous influx of animals due to the repeated heatwaves we've had since May," Aurore Morin, campaign manager at IFAW France, told The Connexion. 

"They needed financial support to feed the animals arriving every day and to bring in additional seasonal staff to cope with the numbers." 

More than 8,750 wild animals were admitted to just 20 member rescue centres of IFAW during June alone, a 30% increase compared with June 2025. 

The number of common swifts has nearly doubled, with 1,830 admitted since the beginning of the year. 

Baby swifts among the hardest hit 

"They nest under rooftops, where temperatures become extreme during heatwaves," Ms Morin said. "Rather than die from the heat, many young swifts throw themselves out of the nest before they are ready to fly." 

She explained that people are finding exhausted baby birds on the ground and bringing them to rescue centres in unprecedented numbers.

Alongside swifts, rescue centres are also caring for hedgehogs suffering from dehydration, as well as foxes, beech martens and roe deer affected by the heat and fires.

"Most of the animals arriving are suffering from exhaustion or dehydration," Ms Morin said.

"Now, particularly in Gironde, we're also beginning to receive animals with burns caused by the wildfires."

One recent case involved a young roe deer fawn found collapsed in the middle of a road.

"It was covered in fly eggs and so exhausted that it couldn't even stand up," she said. "Its mother was nearby, but the fawn simply couldn't move. It shows just how severely the heat and lack of water are affecting wildlife."

What happens after an animal is rescued? 

Once an injured animal reaches a wildlife rescue centre, it is examined, treated and monitored by specialist carers.

Most centres have separate areas for medical treatment and rehabilitation, allowing animals to recover their strength before being released back into the wild.

"The aim is always to release them if they can survive independently," Ms Morin said.

However, not every animal can return to nature. "If, for example, a bird can no longer fly because of a permanent wing injury, it can't be released."

Some permanently injured animals are transferred to wildlife sanctuaries if space is available. Others, when recovery is impossible and their suffering cannot be relieved, must sadly be euthanised.

How people can help 

The Réseau Centres de Soins Faune Sauvage (the wildlife rescue centre network) is appealing for volunteers to support centres during the crisis. 

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to commit to a minimum 15 consecutive days, as the training required means shorter placements are not practical. 

People interested in volunteering can contact the network at contact@reseau-soins-faune-sauvage.com, where they will be directed to the centres with the greatest need.

For people who are not able to volunteer, IFAW has also launched a call for donations. 

Local initiatives have also emerged. In Nîmes, for example, the city, the Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux (LPO), and the Pont de Gau Wildlife Rescue Centre have opened a temporary care point for young swifts that have fallen from their nests. Volunteers are helping feed dozens of birds by hand until they are strong enough to fly. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact them at gard@lpo.fr.

What should you do if you find an injured wild animal? 

Ms Morin advises people not to rush to feed or give water to an injured animal, as this can sometimes do more harm than good.

Instead, if it is safe to do so, secure the area around the animal, keep pets and traffic away, and contact the nearest wildlife rescue centre or the LPO (the French Bird Protection League) for advice before handling it.

"The rescue centres will tell you exactly what to do," she said.

Leaving water out during a heatwave

For people wanting to help wildlife during periods of extreme heat, even simple actions can make a difference.

"Leaving bowls or shallow containers of fresh water in quiet places where wildlife can reach them is already a big help," Ms Morin said.

"At the moment there has been very little rain and natural water sources are disappearing. Simply providing water can make a real difference."

Calls to delay hunting season after wildfires 

Conservation groups are also calling for long-term measures to help wildlife following extreme weather events.

“There are calls to delay the hunting season to give wildlife time to recover after the fires and the heatwaves we are facing,” Ms Morin said. 

The issue arises as France reviews its list of species classed as "susceptible to cause damage” (ESOD), a classification that can allow certain animals to be trapped or shot outside the normal hunting season. 

Wildlife groups have criticised the system, arguing that animals already weakened by habitat loss, drought and extreme weather need greater protection. 

A recent petition calling for an immediate moratorium on hunting in forests damaged by the recent fires has already gathered more than 250,000 signatures.