Hawk admitted with bullet in its wing
By Joanna Fitzgerald | Director of the von Arx Wildlife Hospital
A broad-winged hawk was among the 58 animals admitted to the von Arx Wildlife Hospital at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida this past week.
An officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission brought the broad-winged hawk to our facility after a homeowner called them concerned that the hawk was on the ground unable to fly. A radiograph showed the hawk had been shot. The hawk’s right humerus, femur and tibiotarsus were fractured. The hawk was thin and had obviously been struggling to survive for many days after being shot.
The injuries the hawk sustained were so severe our only treatment option was humane euthanasia.
Although we don’t know the reason this hawk was shot, there are two common situations that occur that lead to birds of prey being shot.
Often time, bird owners will shoot hawks, eagles and owls as a way to protect their domestic birds. Unfortunately, free-ranging chickens and other hobby bird species may be predated on by birds of prey because, to a hawk, any appropriate size bird is a source of food. The necessary action to take in these situations is to build pens and aviaries that protect domestic birds from depredation.
The second common cause is a disregard for wildlife. Animals should never be used for target practice. While there may be a legal hunting season for some species of birds, shooting the broad-winged hawk broke both state and federal laws. If you see someone shooting a bird please report the incident to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; they will investigate.
Recent Releases
An Anhinga, a big brown bat, a magnificent frigatebird, four eastern cottontails, two double-crested cormorants, a red-shouldered hawk, a Florida box turtle, a gopher tortoise, a spotted sandpiper and a red-bellied woodpecker were released.
Year in Review
The start of a New Year offers the opportunity to look back at our accomplishments. In 2018, 3,694 native animals were admitted to, and received care, at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital. The staff at the von Arx Wildlife Hospital sincerely thanks our dedicated volunteers, interns, donors and the many wonderful people in our community who believe in, and support our work. The staff at the hospital continually push ourselves to do all we can for wildlife in need and the people who support our efforts inspire us.
Click the link below to read the full breakdown
Opportunities to Help
Make a resolution to make a difference this year. There a so many ways people can prevent injuries to wildlife, many of which are incredibly simple. Visit the Conservancy website at www.conservancy.org to view our educational web series focused on injury prevention.
I challenge everyone who reads this article to be engaged and take action. The Conservancy website offers information on ways to get involved. Every person can make a difference — sign up for our advocacy alerts or carry a towel and box in your car so you are prepared to assist if you see an animal in need of help. Chose to get involved. Your volunteer time, memberships and donations are vital in helping us continue our work to protect Southwest Florida’s water, land, wildlife and future.
