Does Theravada Buddhism encourages animal release? Does Theravada Buddhism encourages animal release?
Would it be conflicting if one is under the branch Theravada Buddhism but perform animal release?
There is a non-offence clause under the precept against theft for monks that seems to suggest the goodness of it:

tena kho pana samayena aññataro bhikkhu pāse bandhaṃ sūkaraṃ kāruññena muñci. tassa kukkuccaṃ ahosi … pe … “kiṃcitto tvaṃ, bhikkhū”ti? “kāruññādhippāyo ahaṃ, bhagavā”ti. “anāpatti, bhikkhu, kāruññādhippāyassā”ti.
And again there was that time when a certain bhikkhu freed a boar caught in a snare out of compassion. To him there was worry... &quot;What did you have in mind, bhikkhu?&quot; &quot;I was led by compassion, Blessed One.&quot; &quot;There is no offence, bhikkhu, for one who is led by compassion.&quot;
-- pārājikapāḷi, 1. pārājikakaṇḍaṃ, 2. dutiyapārājikaṃ, vinītavatthu

Certainly there appears to be no conflict with the Dhamma; it is ostensibly a wholesome act, falling under charity, I think.