Thanks to an eagle-eyed citizen – and the swift response of personnel from CAP and Liberty Wildlife – an injured hawk that was stranded near the CAP canal was rescued and is recovering at a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Elizabeth Schubert, a wildlife photographer who lives near the canal, spotted the injured bird and when she realized he couldn’t free himself, she called CAP’s front desk on a Sunday morning for help.

CAP’s Protective Services Agent Kevin Kraayenbrink took the call and coordinated the rescue efforts. He asked Agent Kevin Jex to respond and contacted Arizona Game and Fish, who dispatched a volunteer hawk specialist from Liberty Wildlife Rescue. Once on scene, Jex located the hawk sitting along the canal’s cement liner which was about 20 feet down the raised embankment

“When I saw how far down the embankment he was, I had to give some thought as to the best way to rescue him,” said Jex. “Then I realized my extending hook pole was just long enough to reach him.”

Jex slipped the end of the pole under the hawk to persuade him up the embankment and after moving him a short distance, the hawk stepped on the pole and Jex quickly lifted him to the rescuer.   

“I really felt like this hawk wanted help, which made the rescue much easier,” said Jex. “It was a perfect rescue, from the caller, to the wildlife bird rescuer to having the proper equipment and then having the hawk’s cooperation.”

After being rescued, Liberty Wildlife took the hawk to their care facility for treatment.

“If it wasn’t for the immediate response from the great people from CAP and Liberty Wildlife, this beautiful bird wouldn’t have made it after three days in the Arizona heat with no food or water,” said Schubert. “It was a smooth, professional effort that made a real difference.”

Another successful rescue from CAP’s jack-of-all-trades professionals!