抚育 means 'to raise' or 'to nurture', especially in the context of caring for young beings—most commonly children, but also animals or even plants. The character 抚 (fǔ) conveys gentleness and comfort—like soothing or stroking—while 育 (yù) means 'to give birth to' or 'to rear'. Together, they emphasize attentive, loving care over time, not just basic provision. This word carries a warm, responsible, and often emotional connotation.

It’s frequently used in formal, literary, or descriptive contexts—such as news reports about endangered species, parenting guides, or social welfare discussions. While it can apply to human children, it’s especially common when describing how parents, caregivers, or conservationists support the healthy development of the young. It implies long-term commitment and nurturing behavior rather than mere feeding or housing.