Understanding Natural Predation – When to Help or Let Nature Take Its Course

At Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital, we’re often contacted by members of the public who witness the harsh realities of nature and ask, “I just stopped a bird being attacked by a fox, can you help?” It’s completely natural to want to intervene when a predator is hunting or you find an injured animal as a result. However, intervention isn’t always the kindest or most helpful option. In this blog, we’ll offer sensible guidance on when it’s best to step in - and when it’s better to let nature take its course - for the sake of both predator and prey.

What Is Natural Predation?

Natural predation is a fundamental part of healthy ecosystems. Birds of prey such as sparrow hawks hunt small birds; foxes may catch rabbits or rodents; and herons feed on amphibians and fish. Whilst unpleasant to witness, these interactions are not cruel—they are often essential and natural for wild animals. Predation helps maintain population balance and ensures that natural selection continues to shape resilient, healthy wildlife populations. When we intervene to “save” a prey animal from a natural predator, we can disrupt this delicate balance.

When Predation Isn’t Natural

Domestic Pets

While natural predation is vital for survival, domestic cats and dogs hunting wild prey is not essential for their survival. These are domesticated animals raised by humans. Unlike wild predators, they do not rely on hunting to survive. Well-fed cats still chase, injure, and kill wildlife - particularly birds, small mammals, and reptiles - often injuring them fatally and without eating them. Dogs hunting or chasing wildlife stems from instinct or curiosity, not survival.

In the UK alone, it’s estimated that domestic cats kill over 100 million animals each year. At Brent Lodge, we love all animals and it’s not our intention to vilify pets. However, attacks by cats and dogs account for around 20% of the wildlife patients we treat - many suffering fatal injuries. This unnatural and unnecessary level of predation, especially in already fragmented habitats, places significant strain on wildlife populations. For species already declining due to habitat loss and climate change, such added pressure can be devastating.

There are many simple things you can do to protect wildlife and our precious pet animals to create a peaceful coexistence in our natural world.

• Keep cats indoors at dawn and dusk, peak hunting times for wildlife.

• Keep dogs on leads in nature reserves or if your dog is a prolific hunter.

• Use cat collars with bells to reduce successful hunting attempts.

• Build catios to reduce the number of free-roaming cats.

• Create wildlife-friendly gardens with dense shrubs and log piles where wildlife can hide and shelter.

Read our blog below for more helpful tips and advice.

SAFEGUARD PETS AND WILDLIFE

Interspecies predation and when to act

If you witness intraspecies aggression (bullying), or behaviour that seems violent but not for food, it is important to understand the context before deciding whether to intervene. Some animals may fight within their own species or others over territory, mates, or social dominance - this is usually natural and doesn’t always require intervention. However, if an animal is clearly injured, suffering, unable to escape, or the aggression appears excessive or abnormal, it may be appropriate to seek help or rescue the animal.

What to do if you witness a predator attack

If you witness natural predation, such as a fox hunting a rabbit or a hawk catching a pigeon, it's best to look away and not intervene. Whilst it is unpleasant to witness, predation is a natural and vital part of the ecosystem and essential to wildlife survival. Interfering can harm both predator and prey. Avoid trying to interrupt the incident or rescue the animal, as this often causes more stress or unnecessary suffering.

Predators, especially those with young to feed, rely on successful hunts to survive. Disturbing these incidents wastes vital energy and often forces them to hunt again, potentially resulting in another animal’s death. Prey animals, if not killed outright, are frequently left with severe or fatal injuries. This is especially so when attacked by predators like birds of prey or corvids, which are designed to maim. If the hunt is interrupted, the prey may suffer greatly before being found, often requiring euthanasia to end their pain or left to suffer in the wild.

In these cases, two animals are likely to suffer or die unnecessarily.

What is the best thing to do

• Look away, Don’t intervene

• Keep a safe distance

• Don’t try to “rescue” the prey unless they are left behind and suffering

• Report and rescue only if necessary. Call a wildlife hospital for advice

• Don’t throw things, shout, or try to scare the predator away during a hunt

• Don’t handle large or dangerous injured wild animals unless you are trained

• Don’t post sensationalist videos or photos online that may lead to negative public reactions or misinformed “rescue” attempts about natural predation.

• Educate and inform others about when to best to intervene

So, when should you intervene?

• An animal is clearly injured or sick or immediate danger by a roadside for example

• A young bird or mammal has been in the same place for many hours with no sign of mum and is cold, weak, or surrounded by flies or parasites

• Your cat or dog has brought in an animal, even if they appear unharmed (many will suffer internal injuries or shock and will require antibiotics as a minimum)

• If you are unsure—it is better to call and ask for advice

Understanding the role of natural predation - and the threats domestic animals cause - is key to truly protecting our wildlife. Sometimes the kindest act is knowing when not to act. Always ask for advice before intervening. You can also book a wildlife-focused talk from us for your community group or school to help highlight the important role of wildlife and how we can help them responsibly.

Wildlife Education

By Asha Park