On a warm summer afternoon in El Dorado County, California, a group of friends gathered for a pool party to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Everything was going perfectly until someone made a startling discovery.
When one guest lifted the lid of the pool filter, they spotted something unusual inside. Peering closer, they realized a living creature was trapped and struggling.
Stunned by the sight, the partygoers decided not to intervene on their own. Instead, they quickly contacted local rescuers for professional help.
A Feathered Surprise
As soon as Sierra Wildlife Rescue (SWR) in Diamond Springs, California, received the distress call, one of their rescuers immediately headed to the scene.
When he arrived and carefully opened the filter lid, the mystery was solved.
A red-shouldered hawk had fallen into the pool while trying to get a drink, the organization shared in a Facebook post. Pulled into the filter’s suction, the bird had no way to escape.
The hawk floated helplessly, soaked and exhausted.
“[O]nce a bird’s feathers get that wet, they are unable to fly,” explained Debbie Buckles, president of SWR, in an interview with The Dodo.
Although it would have been better if guests had acted sooner, the rescuer worked quickly and arrived just in time to save the struggling bird’s life.
A Long Road To Recovery
The hawk’s condition was critical.
“During the removal of the hawk from the pool filter, [he] was not responsive, extremely tired [and] soaking wet,” Debbie said.
Even after being brought to the rehabilitation center, his body remained weak. Despite the heat outside, he was trembling from spending too long submerged in cold water.
The SWR team refused to give up. They began carefully warming and drying him.
“Using the low speed of a hair dryer and a very gentle touch, each feather was carefully separated and preened. The hawk was able to warm back up and have [his] feathers restored,” Debbie said.
For two weeks, the hawk received nutritious meals, antibiotics, and constant care. Gradually, his strength returned, and the once-lifeless bird began to show signs of his true, fiery spirit.
Back Where He Belongs
Two weeks later, the hawk was strong again and ready to return to the wild.
Debbie described how he had regained his “feisty personality” and full “[his] strength and flight ability.”
The same rescuer who found him was chosen to set him free.
“As the rescuer put on gloves and held the hawk up towards the sky, [he] sat for a moment on the glove, taking in the surroundings. Then, the hawk looked into the rescuer’s eyes as though to say thank you, and then took flight,” Debbie said.
The moment was unforgettable. Watching the once helpless hawk soar into the sky served as a powerful reminder of the difference compassion and timely rescue can make.