“They were shocked!”
Every day, the team at Wildlife in Crisis in Weston, Connecticut, receives hundreds of calls about animals who need help. After nearly four decades of rescue work, the staff thought they had seen almost everything.
But a recent hawk rescue brought them a surprise they never expected.
Hawk Found Struggling In A Pool
The rescue started when a homeowner noticed a hawk trapped in her swimming pool. The bird was struggling and unable to get out on his own.
Concerned for the hawk’s safety, the homeowner contacted Wildlife in Crisis. The rescue team guided her through the process, advising her to carefully lift the bird from the water with a net and bring him to their facility right away.
A Shocking Discovery
When the hawk arrived at the rescue center, a bird biologist began examining him. At first, it seemed like a typical emergency involving a waterlogged bird.
Then she noticed something unusual clinging to his feathers.
To her surprise, two tiny tree frogs were attached to the hawk’s back. The discovery was so unexpected that she asked an intern to take a closer look and confirm what she was seeing.
Two Frogs Hitch A Ride
Amazingly, the frogs were not injured. Rescuers believe the frogs may have also been trapped in the pool and grabbed onto the hawk as a way to stay above water.
Somehow, their unusual survival plan worked. The hawk had carried them with him until all three animals reached safety.
Frogs Safely Released
The rescue team gently removed the frogs from the hawk’s feathers. Once they confirmed the frogs were healthy, they released them into nearby wetlands close to the sanctuary.
After their unexpected ride, the little frogs were finally back where they belonged.
Hawk Receives Emergency Care
While the frogs were safe, the hawk still needed help. He was weak, soaked and in shock when he arrived.
The team dried him carefully, gave him antibiotics and allowed him time to rest. At first, he was too weak to stand, but after a few days, his strength slowly returned.
Ready To Fly Again
Once the hawk began improving, rescuers moved him into a large flight cage. There, he started flying from perch to perch, showing the team that he was recovering well.
His growing energy was the sign everyone had been hoping for.
A Beautiful Return To The Wild
When the hawk was ready, rescuers brought him back to the area where he had originally been found. They opened his transport cage and watched as he flew into the sky.
For the team at Wildlife in Crisis, returning wild animals to their natural homes is always the goal. This hawk’s recovery — along with the safe release of his two tiny passengers — made the rescue especially unforgettable.