Disaster Response
France’s wildlife rescue centers overwhelmed by extreme heatwaves and fires
France’s wildlife rescue centers overwhelmed by extreme heatwaves and fires
July 22, 2026
France's summer has barely begun, yet thousands of wild animals are already struggling. Record-breaking heatwaves and devastating wildfires are destroying habitats, separating families, and leaving exhausted, dehydrated, and injured wildlife with nowhere to turn.
More than 35,000 hectares of wildlife habitat have gone up in flames, already exceeding the total burned throughout all of 2025.
As forests turn to ash, wild animals lose their homes in an instant. Hedgehogs, foxes, squirrels, weasels, and birds are suffering, and rescue centers are now overflowing with record numbers of animals in need of urgent care.
Hedgehogs recover at a wildlife rescue center during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Faune Essonne
The crisis has come during peak breeding season, where centers are already operating at maximum capacity caring for young animals. In June alone, 20 wildlife rescue centers admitted more than 8,750 animals—a 30% increase over last year. At least 70% of centers have reached capacity, forcing some to temporarily stop accepting new animals that desperately need help.
The impact on animals
The extreme heat has had severe consequences for wild animals. Nest temperatures have become lethal for many young birds, particularly common swifts, swallows and other insectivorous species, causing nestlings to fall prematurely or suffer from dehydration and heat stress. Hedgehogs are also arriving in unprecedented numbers due to dehydration and reduced food availability as prolonged drought affects insect populations, which they rely on for food.
Animals like fawns are also affected. This young fawn was found in the middle of the road; due to heat stress and dehydration, it no longer had the strength to stand up. It lay exhausted on the hot concrete while its mother called out to it loudly from five meters away. Fortunately, the animal could still be saved.
A heat-stressed fawn lies exhausted on a road after becoming severely dehydrated during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Réseau Centres de Soins Faune Sauvage
How IFAW is helping
To help with this wildlife emergency, IFAW is supporting the Réseau de soins Faune Sauvage, France’s wildlife rescue network, with life-saving funds. The funding will go toward wildlife care staff to maintain intensive feeding schedules for orphaned and juvenile wildlife, and emergency food supplies.
A young squirrel is hydrated at a wildlife rescue centre during excessive heat in France. Photo: © Frédéric Burda - CSFL
As extreme weather events become more frequent, wildlife rescue centers are playing a critical role in giving vulnerable animals a second chance at survival. IFAW is proud to support frontline responders working tirelessly to care for animals during this crisis.
Related content
every problem has a solution, every solution needs support.
The problems we face are urgent, complicated, and resistant to change. Real solutions demand creativity, hard work, and involvement from people like you.