-
Apr 24, 2006 6:10 pm US/Eastern
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
Injured Bird Released Into The Wild
BELLMAWR, NJ (CBS 3) ―
An endangered bird found helpless outside a Camden County post office, is getting a second chance at life in the wild.
A special delivery in the parking lot of the Bellmawr postal facility as wildlife handlers Jeanne Woodford and Beverly Brinkman get set to release a female Red Tailed Hawk back into the wild.
Holding tightly to the raptors talons, Beverly points it towards the woods, near a fence where postal worker and animal lover John Reilly saw the injured animal April 3rd.
"She started running along the fence here, so that was the indication she was injured," said Reilly.
The bird was possibly injured by hitting the fence or a building.
The hawk actually spent three weeks here getting rehabilitated at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford.
Jeanne Woodford tended to the hawks right wing.
"The injury to the wing seemed to be soft tissue and some muscle damage, we could see the bone, fortunately it was not broken," said Woodford.
After a dose of antibiotics the hawk's ability to hunt and fly was tested in a special flight cage.
"Immediately, she was flying quite well and everyday her wing strengthened," explains Woodford.
The hawk, estimated to be about six years old would leave behind a snowy owl and two bald eagles who call the refuge home.
On the count of three a collective breath was held, and released as the hawk stumbled a little, then flew like airmail to a tree. John especially hoping she rejoins a mate seen in the area for mating season and possibly another special delivery.
"It's the greatest thing in the world," said Reilly.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)