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FUND FOR ANIMALS WILDLIFE CENTER ©2007
These young red-tailed hawks were kidnapped from their nest, destined to be made pets, until a neighbor intervened. |
During the spring and summer months many "perceived to be orphaned" youngsters are brought to The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in need of immediate veterinary attention or expert rehabilitative care. Sometimes these youngsters are truly orphaned, meaning the mother or parents are dead, and they would not survive in the wild without the care given by the center. However, in many cases people take the youngsters from their parents intending to make them pets. Although wildlife rehabilitation can be a very rewarding career, it can also be extremely frustrating.
Such was the case this May when unscrupulous tree trimmers who wanted "macho pets" for themselves removed two very young red-tailed hawks from their nest. Fortunately, a caring neighbor saw the hawks being taken from their nest and knew they were illegal to possess. The neighbor brought them to the center's medical facility for treatment.
Illegal and Irresponsible...
What would have happened if the tree trimmers had tried to raise these raptors in their homes as pets? Most likely the birds of prey would have been fed an inappropriate diet. Within a few days, the youngsters would have felt the effect of poor nutrition and would likely not be able to walk due to calcium deficiency. Shortly thereafter, they would have died from their malnutrition.
Taking wild animals away from their parents with the intent to keep them as pets is always wrong. Not only is it illegal, but also it endangers these animals' lives. Very specific care must be provided by trained professionals for the wildlife to survive outside of their natural habitat. Only if a wild baby animal is injured or sick or an orphan, whose parents are known to be dead or missing, should humans intervene and take the animal to a wildlife rehabilitator. Otherwise wild babies should be left undisturbed in their nests or dens.
Thanks to the actions of a conscientious citizen, these young hawks are thriving, eating a proper diet, and being kept wild with limited human contact. Best of all, they will be physically prepared for their natural life in the wild when they are released at or near the location they were found.
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Posted June 7, 2007
