Editor’s Note: The young Red-Shouldered Hawk is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
At CROW, we see victims of entanglement far too often. The sad reality is that most of these situations result from direct and indirect human activity. Opossums are caught in glue traps, pelicans get wrapped in fishing line, and bunnies become stuck in soccer nets.
After becoming entangled in a barbed wire fence, a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk (25-1950) was recently brought to us. The hawk arrived with a length of wire embedded in its neck. It was also very weak, likely from the effort and stress of trying to free itself, so we limited handling and promptly began treatment with pain medication and anti-inflammatories.
Due to the severity of the situation, a surgical procedure was performed to repair the wounds and evaluate the extent of the injury. During the surgery, we removed the wire, thoroughly cleaned the injury, and closed multiple puncture wounds in the bird’s esophagus. Some blood and mucus were noted in the trachea, but no tracheal lacerations were found. To ensure a sterile closure, we had to pluck some feathers around the wounds, leaving the hawk looking slightly disheveled around its head. However, those feathers will regrow with time.
The hawk is now recovering in an oxygen incubator. It receives antibiotics orally and through a nebulizer—a device that delivers the medicine as a fine mist. That treatment is ideal for lung infections because the medicine is inhaled directly to where it’s needed most.
We also prop the hawk up on a “donut” — a rolled-up towel which supports the bird in a proper resting position. Extremely weak patients can end up in awkward or harmful positions if left unsupported, which may worsen their condition, so our team monitors them closely to make sure they stay comfortable and safe.
Though the hawk is recovering from its barbed wire wounds, its story doesn’t end there. On its first day in care, we took some quick x-rays and were shocked to find three different BB pellets embedded in its body. There were no wounds from the pellets, meaning these are old injuries that the hawk survived. It’s the seventh patient in 2025 who has been found with gunshot wounds. To put that in perspective, we had eight gunshot victims in 2024 and seven in 2023. In other words, CROW is potentially on track to see twice as many gunshot victims as usual.
While this is troubling, as all non-game birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, this is an opportunity to spread awareness within our community. Together, we can be the voice for our voiceless wildlife. Protecting the natural world isn’t just about animals; it’s about ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for us all.
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