Photo Peter McNab.
Walking through his pasture fields just south of Millbrook a few days ago, Peter Kennedy stumbled upon an unusual sight: a red-tailed hawk on the ground.
This bird of prey is common enough in the area, but is usually spotted soaring above, searching for its next meal. This one was floundering about and was clearly in distress.
Kennedy knew something was wrong immediately, and approached it cautiously to see if it could fly off. It couldn’t. Using the shirt off his back, he “hoodwinked” the bird, covering its head.
Photo Peter McNab.
Peter Kennedy examines an injured Red-tailed hawk he discovered in his pasture.
During the encounter, Peter’s finger was pierced by the hawk’s talons, despite his leather gloves, but he remained determined to help the injured animal. With its eyes covered, the bird immediately calmed down, allowing Kennedy a closer look. It was clear expert help was needed, so he called his friends Dave McNab and his wife, Christie Wells, who is a veterinarian and wildlife rescue advocate for advice.
An examination of the bird confirmed that it was in good health but had a serious injury to its left wing. A wildlife refuge in Pefferlaw was called to see if they could help, and the organization kept its doors open past their closing time to receive the injured bird.
Shades of Hope Wildlife Refuge is a Registered Charity is licensed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Fisheries and Canadian Wildlife Services, and serves the Greater Toronto Area and other municipalities throughout the South Central Ontario Corridor. Their mission is to nurture, treat and rehabilitate injured and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into their natural habitats. They currently have 488 animals and birds in care, including three Red-tailed Hawks.
Upon examining the hawk, refuge staff were optimistic the bird would heal after the surgery with a few months of rehab and care at the refuge and were glad it had been found by this caring animal lover. They explained how crucial hawks are to the health of the eco system and were pleased that this local farmer helped an animal that could cause so much damage instead of shying away and letting nature take its course.
Unfortunately, the refuge called a few days later to advise that the hawk did not survive. During the surgery which began immediately upon its arrival, they discovered that the hawk had a broken humerus, a dislocated shoulder and spinal injuries and that some of the injuries were about a week old. They did what they could to make the bird comfortable. While this was not the outcome they had hoped for, they appreciated the efforts to rescue the hawk. This allowed the bird to receive pain medication and to pass quickly and painlessly, rather than succumbing to dehydration in the pasture over several days.
Native American shamans associate the siting of a Red-tailed Hawk as a sacred message that a miracle is on the way. While the results of the rescue efforts were not miraculous, they reflect a commendable respect and compassion for wildlife- even animals that are intimidating. It’s a good attitude to cultivate. KG
