Final answer:
A hunter who mistakenly shoots a protected animal should immediately report it to the authorities to comply with law and aid in wildlife conservation efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
By law, if a hunter mistakenly shoots a protected animal, they should report it to the authorities immediately. This action is crucial for several reasons; it complies with wildlife conservation laws, helps in tracking incidents related to endangered species, and allows authorities to take appropriate measures, which might include necessary medical attention for the animal or sanctioning the incident to prevent future occurrences. In the light of conservation efforts and legal implications, other options such as hiding the incident, keeping the animal as a trophy, or selling it for profit are not only unethical but also illegal and could result in severe penalties for the hunter.