44. To [email protected]
From: hippolyta@
Re: IMPRINTING ETHICS FROM FRIEND OF DR. ROUSSILLON (URGENT)
Dear Doctor de Narbon,
Thank you for writing to me about your unique situation!
You are correct—I have worked with various species of dragons in situ and ex situ.
It’s always my intention to rehabilitate hurt or orphaned dragons with the goal of release to the wild.
When this isn’t possible, dragons stay with us permanently at our sanctuary.
There have been times when dragon young imprint on individual caretakers, who go on to be their “parent” for life.
We are fortunate to have more context for the nature of mother-offspring bonds in dragons than we do in owl-bears, so you are venturing into somewhat unknown territory. How exciting! (And scary!)
As to the ethics of acclimating V-2 to your coauthor, I would ask you to consider the following: What is the realistic likelihood V-2 will be returned to the wild? Would two humanoid connections, rather than one, vastly change this likelihood?
If V-2 is deemed non-releasable, what are your plans for V-2’s future? Will you be rehoming V-2 to a qualified sanctuary? Would you disrupt your life to become a full-time owl-bear “mother” until V-2 becomes independent?
If you are the only Person whom V-2 will tolerate, what happens during periods of time where you become sick or incapacitated? What happens if you (and forgive me, I hope this will not be the case!) meet an untimely end?
If there is no one else whose presence V-2 accepts, V-2’s fate rests solely on your shoulders and that seems unfair to both of you.
In my professional opinion, setting up at least one more otherfolk-Person dyad in this situation is not only ethical, but actively a good safeguard.
Your instinct to keep contact between People and V-2 limited is a good one, but “limited” does not have to mean exclusively you.
If you decide to introduce a second caretaker to V-2 and would like further advice on how to do so, I am more than happy to arrange for a video chat.
At the very least, I am quite excited about the prospect of using this case study to advocate for an otherfolk crossing over 394. Providing safe routes for mundane and magical animals is so hugely important, and an oft-overlooked necessity.
Hippolyta
PS Yes, I do remember meeting you as a child—Jennie is a dear friend and has always spoken highly of you. Do tell her I say hello!
Syr Hippolyta Duke, PhD, MVDM, MSc
Lead Draconologist / Academy Co-Chair
Midsummer Knights Dragon Protection Society and Academy