It’s not unusual to come across surprising sights during a kayaking trip.
While paddling through nature, you can often spot all kinds of incredible animals along the riverbanks, hidden in trees, or walking across the forest floor.
What you don’t expect to find, especially when wrapping up the day, is a wild animal near your gear or your vehicle.
But that’s exactly what happened to Dave, a kayaker from Pennsylvania. As he neared his truck, he noticed a strange figure staring through the back window. What he found left him stunned.
He Couldn’t Believe What He Saw
As Dave carefully moved closer to his truck to get a better look, his suspicion was confirmed. Sitting in the back was a massive red-tailed hawk.
Seeing such a large bird of prey in such a strange place caught him completely off guard. He wasn’t sure how the hawk had ended up there, but something definitely wasn’t right.
The bird wasn’t moving and didn’t seem to react to his presence. Dave tapped the tailgate a few times to encourage it to fly off, but it didn’t budge.
After trying to handle the situation on his own, Dave realized he needed help. He contacted the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center team, from Pennsylvania, to report the unusual scene.
“We received a call from Dave stating that when he got home from kayaking, he noticed a red-tailed hawk in the back of his cab,” the Center wrote in a Facebook post.
Fortunately, help was close by.
One of Raven Ridge’s transport volunteers, Michelle, happened to be nearby assisting with another case. As soon as she got Dave’s call, she headed his way.
She gently used a towel to lift the hawk out of the truck, then transported the bird to the Center for medical attention.
Recovery Began Right Away
Thanks to Dave’s quick action, the hawk received help in time.
At the Center, veterinarians examined the bird and found that it was still in its first year of life, a period when survival can be especially difficult. This hawk, in particular, was dangerously thin and severely lacking hydration.
“Most of these first-year hawks struggle with hunting, lose their way, or become separated from their family. This particular hawk was dehydrated and underweight,” the Center added.
The good news? The hawk is now on the road to recovery.
“Thanks to Dave and Michelle, the hawk is now recovering and has been moved to outdoor flight cages to regain strength for its release,” they concluded.
When fully recovered, the hawk will be set free in the wild where it belongs, thanks to the kindness of one kayaker and the dedication of a nearby rescue team.