What is the ethical obligation after losing a hawk?

• A. Buy a new hawk immediately
• B. Hide the loss from others
• C. Recover it if possible
• D. Ignore the loss

Answer: (C)

When a falconer loses a hawk, the obligation is to recover it if possible. This reflects taking full responsibility for the bird’s welfare and safety, since a lost raptor can suffer, become injured, or pose risks to people or other wildlife. The right course is to start an active search right away, spreading the word through fellow falconers, local clubs, and wildlife organizations, checking the last known location, and using any available means such as calls, traps, or telemetry to locate the bird. If there are sightings, follow up promptly and coordinate with authorities or rehabilitators as needed. This approach honors the bird, the sport, and legal expectations.

Hiding the loss, ignoring it, or immediately replacing the bird do not address the bird’s welfare or the responsibility you hold as its guardian, so they’re not appropriate choices.