Raptors face threats from poisoning, vehicle strikes and power line electrocution. Specialist rehabilitation centres restore injured birds of prey to the wild when possible.
Individual raptors brought to rehabilitation centres are often severely injured or poisoned. Lead-poisoned birds suffer neurological symptoms including tremors, loss of coordination and blindness before death. Trauma from vehicle strikes causes fractures, head injuries and internal haemorrhage. Rehabilitation requires specialised veterinary care, appropriate housing to prevent further injury, and critically, a carefully managed human-animal relationship to prevent imprinting that would prevent release. Birds that cannot be released due to permanent injuries require lifetime care in appropriately sized and enriched aviaries. The welfare standard during rehabilitation — pain management, appropriate social grouping and environmental complexity — matters greatly for both welfare and release success.