On that gorgeous summer afternoon, while basking in the sunlight and cooling off in the refreshing water, the attendees of a pool party in El Dorado County, California, did not anticipate that anything exceptionally remarkable could take place.
Nevertheless, one of the party attendees observed something unusual within the pool filter when he lifted the lid. Upon closer inspection, he discovered an unexpected visitor inside.
After the other guests at the pool recognized who was inside, they opted not to intervene but rather to reach out to the rescuers for assistance.
Cluster Of Feathers
Upon receiving a call about a distressed animal trapped inside a filter, the staff members of Sierra Wildlife Rescue (SWR), a rescue organization based in Diamond Springs, California, quickly dispatched one of their rescuers to the scene.
When he arrived and opened the lid, he promptly identified the creature within the filter as a red-shouldered hawk. As detailed in the SWR Facebook post, it had fallen into the pool while trying to drink water, after which it became trapped in the filter.
The unfortunate hawk was floating lifelessly in the water, unable to escape. “[O]nce a bird’s feathers get that wet, they cannot fly,” Debbie Buckles, president of SWR, explained to The Dodo.
Even though, according to him, it would have been ideal if the pool party attendees had acted without delay, the rescuer treated the incident with utmost seriousness and arrived just in time to rescue this creature’s life.
Challenging Yet Triumphant Rehabilitation
The hawk was in dire condition by the time the rescuer discovered him in the pool filter. “During the extraction of the hawk from the pool filter, [he] was unresponsive, extremely exhausted [and] soaking wet,” Debbie recounted.
The outlook was not any better even after they arrived at the rehabilitation center. Despite the intensely high temperatures at that time, the hawk could not cease shivering. He had simply spent too long in the chilly water.
Yet, these dedicated individuals were determined to save him, and after some time, they ultimately succeeded in reviving him.
“With the gentle breeze of a hair dryer and a soft touch, each feather was meticulously separated and groomed. The hawk was able to warm up and have [his] feathers restored,” Debbie detailed.
He was provided with the finest nourishment and antibiotics for two weeks, which resulted in outstanding outcomes – this hawk completely transformed.
Returned To His Home
After a fortnight of challenging yet successful recuperation, Debbie stated that this remarkable hawk fully regained his “spirited personality” as well as “[his] vigor and capability to fly.”
This was an indication that he was prepared for his new chapter. The rescuer who liberated him from the pool filter had the honor of returning him to the wild.
“As the rescuer donned gloves and lifted the hawk towards the sky, [he] perched for a moment on the glove, absorbing the scenery. Then, the hawk gazed into the rescuer’s eyes as if to express gratitude before soaring into the air,” Debbie shared.
It was a breathtaking moment that reminded this rescuer once more why enduring all the challenges that come with this profession is worthwhile.
The ultimate reward is witnessing them take flight into the freedom where they truly belong, and that is invaluable.