What should a falconer do if a raptor is injured and cannot survive in the wild?

Transferring an injured raptor back to a rehabilitation center is the appropriate action when the bird cannot survive in the wild. Rehabilitation centers are equipped with the necessary resources, expertise, and facilities to provide specialized care for injured wildlife. They can assess the raptor’s condition, administer treatment, and determine if it can eventually be re-released into its natural habitat.

The importance of this action lies in the ethical and legal responsibilities involved in falconry and wildlife conservation. Falconers are generally not equipped to provide long-term care or medical treatment beyond initial first aid. By returning the raptor to a rehabilitation center, the falconer ensures that the animal receives the appropriate care from trained professionals who can give it the best chance of recovery.

Options that involve keeping the raptor in captivity or releasing it without the opportunity for rehabilitation do not align with wildlife conservation practices. Keeping a wild raptor without proper facilities and conditions can be detrimental to its welfare and well-being. Releasing an injured bird back into the wild without rehabilitation would likely lead to further suffering or death, as the raptor would not be able to fend for itself. Contacting a wildlife expert is a positive action, but typically, the next step would be to transfer the bird to a