by Cindy Traisi
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| This Cooper's hawk was struck down but not out. Staff at The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center treated him and when he was ready, they released him back into the wild. Christine Jensen/The HSUS |
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Cooper’s hawks are generally difficult patients in a wildlife rehabilitation setting. They are flighty, nervous birds and often, in a confined situation, do more damage to themselves than was caused by their original injury.
In early October, an adult Cooper’s hawk was admitted to the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center. State park rangers delivered the bird, having received it from citizens who apparently saw the bird have a collision with an automobile. The bird looked healthy enough and had no open wounds, but he could not fly.
After a thorough exam, staff from the center und staff determined that he had a small fracture in his right scapula. In other words, he had a fractured shoulder blade.
We knew it wasn't going to be an easy go with this raptor, given the very nature of the bird. With great care and armed with advanced knowledge of the species, we managed to do everything right to ensure that this beautiful bird would be able to be released back into the wild.
Late in the month, we released the bird within his home range, flying beautifully after being given a second chance by the staff at the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center.
