[Provisions for returning rehabilitated wild bird patients to the wild state]

For the receiving, care, and rehabilitation of normally free-living birds which are sick or capable of rehabilitation, the provisions of the Civil Code, the game-law, the laws relating to nature protection and protection of endangered species have to be considered. In this paper the requirements of the veterinarian, the patients, and the "rehabilitator" are given as a simplified review. Generally, it can be concluded that the rehabilitation of avian patients does not necessarily constitute a contribution to the support of the free-living population and is therefore not unconditionally useful. A relaxation of the regulations governing the keeping of protected avian species may better promote the interests of the birds involved.