What should be done with raptors that die?

The appropriate action for handling deceased raptors is to freeze them and deliver them to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). This procedure is vital because it allows for proper examination and study of the bird, which can provide valuable information regarding wildlife health, mortality causes, and disease tracking.

Submitting the raptor to CPW ensures that the animal is handled legally and ethically, as many species of raptors are protected under federal and state laws. It also promotes conservation efforts by allowing biologists to gain insights into population dynamics and the health of ecosystems.

Other choices, like burying the bird or disposing of it in the trash, do not facilitate the potential for vital research and can impair efforts to monitor and understand wildlife health. Leaving the raptor in the wild can lead to further ecological issues and does not comply with regulations concerning the handling of protected species.