Injured Hawk Rescued by Connecticut State Police in Mansfield

According to a release from the Connecticut State Police, an injured hawk was rescued in Mansfield after a concerned resident spotted the bird along the road and realized it needed help.

Get our free mobile app

The incident happened near the intersection of Coventry Road and Mansfield City Road, where the hawk had apparently been struck by a vehicle. Instead of simply driving past, a local resident contacted Connecticut State Police and asked for assistance.

Mansfield Resident Trooper Jamaitus responded to the scene and was able to safely secure the injured bird. The hawk was then transported to a local wildlife center, where it is now receiving care.

Connecticut State Police

And judging by the photo released by State Police, this was not exactly a tiny bird that could be scooped up and tossed into a cardboard box. The hawk looks pretty substantial, and I have to imagine you want someone who knows what they're doing handling an injured bird with a beak and talons like that.

Wild animals can be especially difficult to help when they're injured because they don't necessarily understand that you're trying to save them. An injured hawk is still a wild animal, so calling the professionals was definitely the right move for the person who found it.

It's also a good reminder that if you come across an injured animal on the side of the road, you probably shouldn't try to become a wildlife veterinarian on the spot. Contacting local authorities or a wildlife rehabilitation organization is usually the safer option for both you and the animal.

State Police thanked the Mansfield resident who stopped and took the time to call for help. That's the kind of thing that can easily go unnoticed, but in this case, that phone call may have made all the difference for the hawk.

Hopefully, the bird makes a full recovery and eventually gets back where it belongs—flying around Connecticut and terrifying the squirrels.