By Chantal Theijn
To The Haldimand Press
This cooper’s hawk found himself stuck with both feet in an (I am told) illegally set leghold trap. He ripped his one foot out, causing him to lose a toe.
After a call from a rather awesome officer from the OPP, our friends from the Guelph Humane Society were able to pick up the hawk and a volunteer driver was able to get the hawk here to Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge for treatment.
This hawk has a missing toe, a broken talon (this is a big deal for a bird of prey), and a broken halux on his other foot.
After some creative bandaging and serious pain meds and antibiotics, I was delighted to see him stand last Tuesday. We are hoping for a full recovery for this guy after that ordeal.
Much thanks to all the folks involved in helping this hawk and a special thanks to the OPP officer. I am pretty sure she gave the person who set the trap a piece of her mind.
Chantal Theijn is the founder and wildlife rehabilitator at Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge in Nanticoke. Its mission is to return rehabilitated wildlife to their natural habitats, and to educate the public on coexisting with wildlife. If you’ve found an animal in distress, or for more info, visit hobbitstee.com.
