Recently, we received a call that perfectly illustrates both the danger of illegal wildlife possession and the power of doing the right thing.
A Cooper’s Hawk was discovered tangled in a tree, hanging upside down and unable to free himself. A kind and observant family saw him struggling and immediately contacted us and Animal Control. Thanks to their quick action, this hawk is alive today.
When he arrived in our care, it was clear this bird had been illegally taken from the wild and kept either as a pet or for unlicensed falconry. The equipment used on him was improper and unsafe, directly leading to his escape and near death. He was severely underweight, weak, and most disturbingly the tips of his talons had been cut off to blunt them. Talons are essential for a raptor’s survival; without them, a hawk cannot hunt, defend itself, or live naturally in the wild.
Over the past few weeks, this Cooper’s Hawk has been given what he should have had all along:
✔️ a proper, species appropriate diet
✔️ professional rehabilitation care
✔️ time for his talons to regrow and be sharpened naturally
Because of this care, he has regained strength, weight, and the tools he needs to survive. We are happy to share that he is now ready for release back into the wild where he belongs.
IMPORTANT PSA
Cooper’s Hawks and all native raptors are protected under both federal and state law. It is illegal to capture, possess, keep, or attempt to train them without proper permits. These laws exist for a reason: almost every case of illegal possession ends in severe injury or death for the bird.
Wild raptors are not pets. They require specialized care, diets, equipment, and years of training even for licensed professionals. When handled improperly, they suffer immensely.
We are incredibly grateful to the family who made the call and chose compassion and legality over looking the other way. Because of them, this hawk gets a second chance at the life he was meant to live.
If you ever see wildlife in distress, do not attempt to handle or keep it. Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or Animal Control. One phone call can mean the difference between life and death.
Thank you for standing with wildlife and helping us protect those who cannot speak for themselves.
See the release video on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/AADETuLWDVI