Success in raptor rehabilitation depends on injury type, species, and rehabilitation quality, with evidence-based assessment improving both welfare and release outcomes.
Raptor rehabilitation welfare requires honesty about which injuries justify rehabilitation versus euthanasia. The welfare calculation involves current suffering during treatment, probability of successful release, and quality of life if not releasable. A raptor with a severe wing injury requiring permanent captivity has welfare needs that few rehabilitation facilities can adequately meet - permanent display housing that prevents natural behavior expression creates ongoing welfare compromise. The welfare case for euthanasia when release is not achievable and appropriate permanent care is unavailable is stronger than the instinct to 'save' every raptor. Success requires rigorous prognosis assessment from admission.