The other day, a Good Samaritan using the batting cages at their local park in Fairfax, Virginia, stopped in their tracks when they spotted a huge bird tangled in netting.
The worried animal lover called the Fairfax County non-emergency dispatch line.
Soon, animal services officer Abdul Taieb was on his way.
Taieb carefully approached the hawk, determining the best course of action.
“[He] was defensive,” Taieb told The Dodo. “However, once I restrained its wings while it was tangled, it remained relatively calm, which made the rescue process safer."
The officer expertly secured the bird’s wings with one hand, using the other hand to cut away the netting restricting his talons.
Finally, the hawk was free.
“The hawk flew away normally and was able to gain altitude as it flew toward the wooded area, indicating that there was no apparent injury to its wings,” Taieb said.
The officer was pleased to see the hawk regain his freedom.
“It was very rewarding,” Taieb said. “Seeing it fly away was a great reminder of the importance of helping tangled wildlife that cannot free themselves."
Taieb hopes this story encourages other community members to report animals in distress to experts who can help, rather than trying to help the animal on their own.
If everyone does their part, hawks like this one will always end up back where they belong.
