If you find a raptor such as an eagle, owl, or hawk that is injured, you may not know what to do.

All raptors are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703 (MBTA). Both Golden Eagles and Bald Eagles are further protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. 668 (Eagle Act). That means that it is illegal to hunt, kill, wound, or possess raptors in the United States. However, wounded animals can be taken to facilities such as Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics, usually by wildlife officers, for treatment of their injuries. A veterinarian will be able to evaluate the extent of the injury or illness and come up with a treatment plan for the bird’s rehab.

How Can Raptors Be Injured?

Although most of us love to see raptors, occasionally our technology can cause injury to them. Eagles and other birds can collide with vehicles and wind farms turbine blades, they can be caught in traps, they can be poisoned by taking bait intended for other animals, and they can be injured by poachers and domesticated animals. Nests can be accidentally or intentionally disturbed. As a nation, we’re proud to have the bald eagle as our symbol of freedom, but when an eagle is injured, we need to heal and rehabilitate them.

Check Out Our Success Stories

Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics has many success stories in rehabilitating raptors. Our success in rehabilitation includes red tail hawks, sharp shin hawks, barred owls, bighorn owls, and peregrine falcons of all ages. We help raptors with injuries, diseases, and other factors that keep them from living normal lives in the wild. We love seeing rehabilitated animals return to their natural environment where everyone can enjoy them.