What is the maximum time frame in which an animal must be handled after being captured?

The correct answer indicates that an animal must be handled within a maximum time frame of 24 hours after being captured. This timeframe is crucial for several reasons related to both animal welfare and legal compliance. Immediately handling captured animals ensures that they do not suffer from undue stress or health complications associated with prolonged captivity. Wildlife can experience significant distress when confined, and the longer they remain in captivity, the higher the risk of both physical and psychological suffering.

Moreover, there are legal and regulatory considerations tied to the humane treatment of wildlife. Many jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, have guidelines that stipulate the prompt handling of captured animals to ensure adherence to ethical standards in wildlife management. By ensuring that captured animals are dealt with in a timely manner, wildlife control operators fulfill their responsibility to uphold humane treatment practices.

In contrast, allowing a captured animal to remain in captivity for periods longer than 24 hours, as suggested by the other options, can lead to complications that may be preventable when appropriate measures are taken within the specified timeframe.