Found Harris's Hawk at Neotrópico; Legal Owner Sought

The Neotrópico Foundation recently welcomed a new arrival: a Harris's hawk. This hawk was found last Sunday in Las Zocas, part of the San Miguel de Abona area.

The Foundation shared on social media that they received an alert at 7:22 PM. The message said that the disoriented bird had been caught by members of the public.

About an hour later, Neotrópico's expert team picked up the hawk and took it to their Wildlife Recovery Center (CRAS) to help it recover.

The Harris's hawk is now being watched by vets and is waiting for health checks. Meanwhile, the Foundation is trying to find its legal owner.

It's important to remember that these birds are not pets. They can only be legally owned if they are part of falconry, as outlined in Decree 328/2011, which governs falconry in the Canary Islands.

The Neotrópico Foundation points out that owning such a bird legally means several things:

• The bird must be marked (with a ring or microchip).
• It must have official papers showing where it came from (like an invoice or transfer letter).
• Both the bird and its owner must be registered in the island's Falconry registry.
• The place where the bird is kept must be registered as a "zoological nucleus" with the Canary Islands Government's Department of Livestock.
• Also, all falconry birds of prey must always fly with a radio transmitter.

The Foundation also states that if the legal owner doesn't report the bird's loss to the authorities within four days of its escape, or if they don't meet the requirements mentioned above, they will face a penalty and a fine.

The Neotrópico Foundation continues its important work protecting nature in the Canary Islands. This includes research, saving biodiversity, ensuring animal welfare, raising awareness, and educating people about the environment. They also actively fight against illegal wildlife trade and invasive species.