One day, a man named William Ortiz was passing by a busy highway in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when he noticed something odd nearby. In the middle of the road lay a mysterious creature that clearly needed help. Despite cars speeding by, no one stopped to assist. William, not knowing what animal it was, didn’t hesitate; he immediately pulled over to help.
As he navigated through the traffic to reach the helpless creature, his heart sank upon arrival. Without wasting time, he called for assistance.
In A Very Bad State
In front of William, a very young, injured red-tailed hawk lay unable to move due to its dire predicament. It was evident the bird had been struck by a car, and the driver showed no remorse. Fortunately, William was there at the right time to call for help from Raven Ridge Wildlife Center.
Rescuers from the center, located nearby, arrived promptly, but were dismayed by the severity of the hawk’s injuries. As wildlife rehabilitator Tracie Young conveyed to The Dodo, “I just can’t imagine the pain and agony that bird was in.”
The RRWC Facebook post reported that both of the hawk’s eyes were closed, and he could scarcely stand. He suffered from torticollis and severe head trauma, leading them to doubt his survival. However, after 72 hours of dedicated care, a miracle occurred; the hawk opened his eyes and stood again, clearly improving, which thrilled his rescuers.
Just hours prior, this bird was fighting for its life, but now it was preparing for the next stage of its recovery, which would allow it to return to the wild.
On The Way To Freedom
Once the wildlife center personnel deemed the hawk fit for further rehabilitation, Young promptly connected with an experienced falconer for the next stage of the bird’s recovery.
“Falconers spend a significant amount of time training their birds to develop a strong bond and establish trust. This involves teaching the bird to respond to commands, such as returning to the glove or perch. They also work on conditioning the bird’s fitness and hunting skills through exercise and simulated hunting sessions.” RRWC detailed in their Facebook post.
This phase would not only help the hawk fully recover but also equip it with essential skills for survival in the wild. According to The Dodo, the process might continue until spring when a return to its natural habitat is anticipated.
Everything appeared to be on track as the hawk thrived during its treatment. Consequently, RRWC shared a video highlighting the hawk’s transformation pre- and post-treatment, showing remarkable progress.
It’s just a matter of time before he once again takes to the skies.
In conclusion, one life was saved because of a compassionate individual who, unlike many, chose to act rather than look away from the suffering of a vulnerable creature.
Given that most red-tailed hawks do not reach their first birthday, this act of kindness is even more commendable.
