RED-TAILED HAWK $30.00
WHY THEY COME INTO OUR CARE
- Like all the birds under the care of Scales and Tales, the Red-Tailed Hawks have all been injured in one way or another and these injuries prevent their release back into the wild.
- Despite strict regulation and federal laws protecting these and other birds of prey, these hawks are often shot. If the victims of these shooting are not killed outright, they often can sustain permanent injuries such as severe wing damage or a total or partial loss of sight.
- Occasionally, hawks will damage or even lose a wing by flying into high tension wires. At the speeds at which they can dive, a collision with such an obstacle almost certainly causes permanent injury.
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS?
- Hunting can be a very valuable tool in wildlife management, controlling the populations of animals such as white-tailed deer and many waterfowl species. However, illegal hunting, or poaching, can have tragic results and has an overall detrimental effect on the ecosystem. The trade of illegal wildlife and wildlife products worldwide is a $5 billion a year enterprise, second only to the illegal drug trade. Injuring, or killing birds of prey, or other protected animals often carries with it substantial fines and possible jail time.
- Remember to report any suspicious activity, including illegal hunting on public lands by calling 1-800-825-PARK.
Posted March 8, 2000