Hawk dropped bunny (somewhat graphic)

So, I was out biking with my friends yesterday when I was going through a path. All of the sudden I see to my right a hawk jump from a fence post and as it flies away it drops a bunny. I couldn't believe what I just saw and got closer to the bunny to check it out. Unfortunately the hawk must have started to eat the bunny and there was a hole in it's side.
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/297f18c3.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...2/109cfecb.jpg

I felt really bad fur the bunny because he/she kept trying to move but it seemed to only be able to move it front legs. It was almost dragging itself when it's intestines started to come out. I couldn't watch anymore so I put it out of it's misery by dropping a large rock on him/her. I really couldn't let it lay there and suffer a slow death. Did I do the right thing? What would you have done?
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u...h_d2be9828.jpg

and what was your reason for posting this?!

I cant believe you took pics, video, exc just to post it.. i dont know if you did the right thing or not by killing it or what the reason was the hawk dropped it but i find the post disturbing personally

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Originally Posted by ADEE

and what was your reason for posting this?!

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Because I felt bad about killing it and I wanted to see if I did the right thing or what other people would have done.
I didn't take pictures just to post this. I took pictures to remember this experience.

i just know i personally dont need photos to remember events like that, furthermore would you want to remember an event like that? Had you left it alone the hawk mightve come back to get his meal. I dont understand why the hawk would just drop its meal unless you frightened it but then again im not a hawk specialist or anything. I just find it odd that you woudl take pictures/videos of it at all and post them on the forum. you couldve very easily told the story and asked what others wouldve done, there was no reason to post pictures/videos of it but then again i have two rabbits who are very much a part of our family so i have a softer spot then most when it comes to the little long eared animals.

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Originally Posted by ADEE

i just know i personally dont need photos to remember events like that, furthermore would you want to remember an event like that? Had you left it alone the hawk mightve come back to get his meal. I dont understand why the hawk would just drop its meal unless you frightened it but then again im not a hawk specialist or anything. I just find it odd that you woudl take pictures/videos of it at all and post them on the forum. you couldve very easily told the story and asked what others wouldve done, there was no reason to post pictures/videos of it but then again i have two rabbits who are very much a part of our family so i have a softer spot then most when it comes to the little long eared animals.

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I will gladly take the pictures/video off if you would like.

Poor hawk lost his dinner! I think you did the right thing( it would have suffered). You startled the hawk as he was trying to kill it probably.

the pictures and video is your thing, its not my place to ask you to remove them, that would be up to the moderators and admins of the forum. I simply just wont look/watch them. but thanks for offering

I would take them off but I can no longer edit the post. If a mod wants to remove them, feel free to.

You did the right thing by not allowing the rabbit to suffer.

Regarding the pictures and video, I feel you did what was appropriate in warning everyone that they were graphic. After that it's up to the individual to view the pictures/video or not, knowing full well that they are graphic. I chose to view the pictures and not view the video.

The people that are complaining about your pictures/video remind me of the people on YouTube that complain about the graphic nature of videos showing snakes eating live prey and they also know full well what's on the video before viewing it. Yet they choose to watch it and then complain about the graphic nature of it.

I guess people just need something to complain about.

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Originally Posted by xxTYLERxx

I guess people just need something to complain about.

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Some people are just uncomfortable with this sort of thing. I'd say it's different from youtube because they in fact are just looking for something to complain about. I think ADEE just wasn't expecting such a graphic serious of images.


Jacob, I'd say your heart was in the right place, but I wouldn't have chosen your methods. Cervical dislocation or chest compression would have been more humane, but I doubt you knew that. Cervical dislocation can be done wrong, and is then also inhumane. Chest compression (not chest compressionS like in cpr) is where you feel for the animals heart and compress the rib cage at that point stopping the animals heart. I was taught this method in a mammalian ecology class when we had to catch wild rodents and prepare type specimens. I believe it is said that it can be safely done to animals up to 15 lbs?

You were biking through a path and scared the hawk.........he might have came back and he might not have.


i think ending the rabbits life, instead of watching it suffer was the right thing.

You posted Graphic right in the title.

Anyone who looks did so by their OWN choice, not any coercion on your part.

No matter what you did, that bunny was toast. Hopefully you left the body out for the hawk to return to or some other predator to find. That way it won't go to waste.

I think you did fine all the way around.

You did the right thing.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I did leave the body there hoping the hawk would come back and eat it, so the bunny's life hopefully wasn't waisted.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

Some people are just uncomfortable with this sort of thing. I'd say it's different from youtube because they in fact are just looking for something to complain about. I think ADEE just wasn't expecting such a graphic serious of images.

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The word 'graphic' was CLEARLY posted, therefore nothing to complain about.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

Some people are just uncomfortable with this sort of thing. I'd say it's different from youtube because they in fact are just looking for something to complain about. I think ADEE just wasn't expecting such a graphic serious of images.

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thanks qiksilver... :) I certainly dont go around looking for things to complain about, i think i also made that clear when i thanked him for offering to remove them, even when i knew he couldnt because the 10 minute limit had expired.

I suppose the title does explain whats in the thread, but that could be anything. A story, series of a few pics, a complete post with pics and video, exc. Not everyone is going to agree with everything members post. its what makes us a diverse group of people. I have never once (that i can remember) complain about someones thread, if i dont like it i typically dont post on it. I just couldnt understand why someone would take the time to watch an animal suffer, take photos, take video then say "oh i should kill it now and put it out of its misery" I personally wouldve looked at the animal and gotten away from it as quickly as i could so the hawk could come back and retrieve its meal. I know its the circle of life, i understand all animals (including our snakes, rabbits, sharks, exc) have to eat, that wasnt what i was commenting on. I couldnt understand why someone would take the time to do all that, if your going to intervene and put it out of its misery thats one thing, its a whole other to take the time and do what this member did. It doesnt make it right or wrong, it is just different then what i wouldve done.

Koodoes to the member for trying to help

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Originally Posted by xxTYLERxx

The word 'graphic' was CLEARLY posted, therefore nothing to complain about.

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are you just trying to argue? I understand that. But the point is that usually the graphic threads are birth defects from hatchings, not dead animals found elsewhere.
She's entitled to her opinion as are you. But seeing as this site is 'family friendly' your argument doesn't hold well. I think the pics were fine, but we do have some young members.
My main point is you're jumping to conclusions about another member. It remains to be seen whether she's disgusted enough to not view this thread again. If she's not, then maybe she's just trying to cause trouble and will continue to complain but i seriously doubt it. Either way, she was probably just shocked.
I doubt the media will be removed. Maybe somewhat should be removed from in front of graphic. It still remains that the OP was merely sharing an experience and is looking for reassurance that he did the right thing. Which I believe he did. So there's really no problem.

I dont even think age plays a factor, im in my mid 20s and it still shook me up a bit but then again, as i posted previously i have pet rabbits who are as much a part of our family as a dog would be, there is a big difference imo between posting baby bps with birth defects, that is terms for education and they dont bother me at all. I cant even imagine being there and having a hawk drop his dinner in front of me! Again he was looking for support and i think thats great, getting off my soap box now, have a good day :gj:

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

snip... I think the pics were fine, but we do have some young members...snip

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I am one of those young members. I'm 15.

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Originally Posted by slither9192

I am one of those young members. I'm 15.

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Jacob, you are a very mature 15 year old. I am behind you 100% in this matter on two fronts: You clearly indicated that the post was graphic and you prevented an animal from any more suffering. Ball-pythons.net should be very proud to have you as an active member. Enough said (unless something else comes up where I feel the need to respond, LOL).

Great job!!!:gj::gj::gj:

I dont think you did anything wrong....I dont feel the title of the thread was misleading at all. As for the content...just something you read about when learning about the food chain in your Jr. High Biology class.

When I clicked on the title of the thread, I was not surprised.

What was everyone expecting from a thread titled, "'Hawk dropped bunny (somewhat graphic)'? :confused:

It's not too hard to skip past the thread and not read it?

Now if the thread was titled "I found a bunny" then yea...that would change everything.

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Originally Posted by Jerhart

I dont think you did anything wrong....I dont feel the title of the thread was misleading at all. As for the content...just something you read about when learning about the food chain in your Jr. High Biology class.

When I clicked on the title of the thread, I was not surprised.

What was everyone expecting from a thread titled, "'Hawk dropped bunny (somewhat graphic)'? :confused:

It's not too hard to skip past the thread and not read it?

Now if the thread was titled "I found a bunny" then yea...that would change everything.

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Very well said!

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Originally Posted by Jerhart

I dont think you did anything wrong....I dont feel the title of the thread was misleading at all. As for the content...just something you read about when learning about the food chain in your Jr. High Biology class.

When I clicked on the title of the thread, I was not surprised.

What was everyone expecting from a thread titled, "'Hawk dropped bunny (somewhat graphic)'? :confused:

It's not too hard to skip past the thread and not read it?

Now if the thread was titled "I found a bunny" then yea...that would change everything.

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Agreed 10 fold.

I'm going to comment on the few here stunned that he put the rabbit down. I personally feel it was the right thing to do in that situation, and would have done the same or left the rabbit alone completely.

No reason to go muddying up nature by trying to treat that rabbit for his injuries, then the hawk would have gone without a meal, and perhaps it's young, then no more babies for that year... and you can see the chain reaction there.

It's much like those documentaries on national geographic, where you're are almost brought to tears watching the young seal pup being maimed and thrown around by the killer whale, but there is no reason for the photographers to step in and rescue the pup. That's just meddling in things we shouldn't be messing with.

Documenting nature is how we learn, it's something I most likely would have taken pictures of as well. Inquiring minds need to know.

Personally I believe you did the right thing. A few months ago I was on a hunting trip with some friends in the desert down here in AZ. We were hunting Havolina hog's. Anyway we were driving home and the truck in front of us NAILED a huge jackrabbit. Probably over 18 pounds. We stopped as to not just run it over. It was toasted but was trying to get up so we decided to move it off the road and shoot it to put it out of it's misery. The poor guys whole chest was compressed and crushed so I know we did the right thing.

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Originally Posted by ADEE

I cant believe you took pics, video, exc just to post it..

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Who are you to judge him for this? Just state your opinion and be done, don't bash him for it, express yourself and keep judgments to yourself.

You did the right thing by putting it out of its misery.

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Originally Posted by pythontricker

Who are you to judge him for this? Just state your opinion and be done, don't bash him for it, express yourself and keep judgments to yourself.

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there was no "judging" i was stating my opinion, i personally (as someone who does photography) cant believe he would take the time to take video and photos of the rabbit near death, i just cant understand that, especially for the reason "i want to remember the experience" No where in there did i say anything about judging him, i didnt belittle him, didnt bash him, didnt call him bad names, exc.. i said i PERSONALLY couldnt believe he took the time to do so. I was expressing myself.

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Originally Posted by ADEE

there was no "judging" i was stating my opinion, i personally (as someone who does photography) cant believe he would take the time to take video and photos of the rabbit near death, i just cant understand that, especially for the reason "i want to remember the experience" No where in there did i say anything about judging him, i didnt belittle him, didnt bash him, didnt call him bad names, exc.. i said i PERSONALLY couldnt believe he took the time to do so. I was expressing myself.

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I understand what your saying, but in my defense I would like to say these pics and the video were taken on my phone and the video is about 19 secs and the pics took 5 seconds to take. While taking these pictures I was deciding what exactly to do. I mean I didn't think about what had actually happened, I just went for the camera and took a couple pics. Someone else probably would have gone about it a different way, but it's done now so what can you do.

Jacob, thats fine you really dont need to explain yourself to me, whether it took 30 minutes or 10 seconds is really irrelevant.. I posted my most recent response to clear up the post quoted by pythontricker what i have/havnt said to you. Everyone is different, as is every situation and scenario. It doesnt make it right or wrong. :gj: Everyone handles things differently.

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Originally Posted by envy_ld50

Personally I believe you did the right thing. A few months ago I was on a hunting trip with some friends in the desert down here in AZ. We were hunting Havolina hog's. Anyway we were driving home and the truck in front of us NAILED a huge jackrabbit. Probably over 18 pounds. We stopped as to not just run it over. It was toasted but was trying to get up so we decided to move it off the road and shoot it to put it out of it's misery. The poor guys whole chest was compressed and crushed so I know we did the right thing.

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ahhhhh seee thats what im talking about. the story could be interpreted as being graphic but there are no graphic photos to accompany it. Enough of the story was shared to know the events of what happened and no photos were needed, im sure everyone could paint a picture in their head of what happened. Im sure you too did the right thing by ending its life, who knows how long it couldve sat there gasping for air. Poor rabbits are gluton for punishment i swear

I think you did the right thing, and ended it life as best you could.
Frankly I do NOT find the pictures or videos anymore graphic than a snake feeding video, where a rat's life is ended.
Since "graphic" was in the title, there should not have been complaints about content. It states a hawk dropped a bunny and that it's graphic, what else would you expect to see other than a somewhat mauled bunny?
I'm not attacking anyone here, but if you read the title, and think about it, then it seems plain to me. I know people like bunnies, but then people like ratties too. No one seems bothered by feeding pictures or videos. So this should be fine.
Congrats on getting to see a wild hawk too. That must have been cool.

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Originally Posted by slither9192

I understand what your saying, but in my defense I would like to say these pics and the video were taken on my phone and the video is about 19 secs and the pics took 5 seconds to take. While taking these pictures I was deciding what exactly to do. I mean I didn't think about what had actually happened, I just went for the camera and took a couple pics. Someone else probably would have gone about it a different way, but it's done now so what can you do.

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Frankly Jacob I find it amazing, and I feel sorry for you, that you have to keep explaining yourself to ADEE when everything you did was appropriate and humane. I guess that fact that you spent 24 seconds taking pictures and a video means that you should be indicted on criminal charges for animal cruelty in her mind. How many more ways does she want you to go over the same scenario? She is relentless.

I am curious if ADEE feeds live animals to her snake(s)? If so, we should take that up for discussion. I think it's fine, but I am curious about her beliefs on the matter.

You did do the right thing. The rabbit would have died by either

a) just dying like he was laying here
b) the hawk coming back to eat it

So it would have died a slow and painful death either way so ending its misery is a good thing to do :

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Originally Posted by xxTYLERxx

Frankly Jacob I find it amazing, and I feel sorry for you, that you have to keep explaining yourself to ADEE when everything you did was appropriate and humane. I guess that fact that you spent 24 seconds taking pictures and a video means that you should be indicted on criminal charges for animal cruelty in her mind. How many more ways does she want you to go over the same scenario? She is relentless.

I am curious if ADEE feeds live animals to her snake(s)? If so, we should take that up for discussion. I think it's fine, but I am curious about her beliefs on the matter.

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I think its amazing you keep putting words in my mouth and feelings in my soul. I never said there should be criminal charges my God do you take things out of context and exagerate to the fullest extent. To say im relentless even really goes way over the top, you have no idea who I am and I would appreciate it if you would stop critisizing me for MY opinion. I havnt asked him to continue going over the scenario, let it go dude. If you have something to say to me PM me directly and stop taking up space wasting your words on this thread. Jacob has been very nice in expressing his view/opinions and i have thanked him for that.

Determining or questioning how I choose to feed my snakes has NOTHING to do with this thread nor is it any of your business, FURTHERMORE I have already stated I totally understand how the "circle of life" works in this thread, that wasnt the point at all and you continue going over the top on this thread, why dont you read all my responses. I repeat, if you have something to say to me, direct it to me personally and private message me. Wasting more space in this thread by running your mouth, making false accusations and fabricating what i say is doing just that, wasting space.

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Originally Posted by xxTYLERxx

Frankly Jacob I find it amazing, and I feel sorry for you, that you have to keep explaining yourself to ADEE when everything you did was appropriate and humane. I guess that fact that you spent 24 seconds taking pictures and a video means that you should be indicted on criminal charges for animal cruelty in her mind. How many more ways does she want you to go over the same scenario? She is relentless.

I am curious if ADEE feeds live animals to her snake(s)? If so, we should take that up for discussion. I think it's fine, but I am curious about her beliefs on the matter.

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I do not want to start an argument. Let's just leave it alone. I do not feel ADEE was attacking me, she was merely stating her opinions on what happened.

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Originally Posted by slither9192

I do not want to start an argument. Let's just leave it alone. I do not feel ADEE was attacking me, she was merely stating her opinions on what happened.

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Thanks Jacob :gj:

Another amazingly informative thread!

Wabbit stew anyone?

Oh yeah,OP totally did the right thing,pics/video and all.