William Ortiz was driving through Lancaster, Pennsylvania, when something in the road made him slow down.
At first, he could not tell what he was seeing. There was a small life in the middle of traffic, clearly struggling while cars continued to rush past as if nothing unusual was happening.
The animal could not move.
William did not know what kind of creature it was, but he knew enough to understand that it needed help. It looked seriously hurt, and leaving it there was not something he could bring himself to do.
He pulled over immediately and waited for a safe chance to cross the busy highway.
With vehicles moving around him, William made his way carefully toward the animal. Once he got close enough to truly see the situation, his heart sank.
Then he reached for his phone and called for help.
The Injured Hawk On The Road
In the center of the road was a young red-tailed hawk. It was unable to move and appeared to be in serious pain.
The hawk had likely been hit by a car, and the driver had continued on without stopping. Thankfully, William arrived just in time. He contacted Raven Ridge Wildlife Center(RRWC) for immediate assistance.
The rescue team at RRWC responded quickly, arriving at the scene to take the hawk to safety.
Once they had the hawk in their care, the full extent of its injuries became clear.
“I just can’t imagine the pain and agony that bird was in,” Tracie Young, a wildlife rehabilitator, told The Dodo.
According to RRWC’s Facebook post, the hawk had both eyes shut, was struggling to stand, and showed symptoms of torticollis. The team also discovered severe head trauma, and they feared the worst.
However, after 72 hours of intensive care, the hawk miraculously opened its eyes and managed to stand up. This moment marked a turning point, and the team felt a new sense of hope.
Just hours before, the hawk’s survival had been uncertain. But now, it had enough strength to continue its healing process, and the goal was clear: prepare the bird to be released back into the wild.
The Road To Recovery
Once stable, the hawk was moved to the care of a skilled falconer to continue its recovery.
“Falconers spend a significant amount of time training their birds to develop a strong bond and establish trust. This involves teaching the bird to respond to commands, such as returning to the glove or perch. They also work on conditioning the bird’s fitness and hunting skills through exercise and simulated hunting sessions,” RRWC explained in a Facebook post.
This crucial phase of rehabilitation was essential for the hawk to regain its strength and sharpen its instincts. The falconer worked on building the bird’s physical fitness and preparing it for life in the wild. The bird’s training would continue through spring, with a planned release once it was ready.
RRWC even posted a video showing the hawk’s progress, and the transformation was remarkable. From barely being able to stand to becoming healthy enough for release, the progress was inspiring.
A Happy Ending
Thanks to William’s quick actions and compassionate decision to help, the hawk’s life was saved. While other drivers simply passed by, William chose to intervene, giving the animal a chance at survival.
Many red-tailed hawks do not survive their first year in the wild, making this rescue even more significant.