Emaciated Swainson’s Hawk Receives Help

The following story was shared with us by the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation in Alberta, Canada.

This juvenile hawk was admitted to the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation on September 16, 2020, weighing 480 grams (about 1 pound). The patient appeared to be uninjured but had a low body temperature and was very thin and dehydrated.

The hawk was given fluids and put in an incubator to stabilize overnight. Blood results indicated that the patient was emaciated, so he was put on a re-feeding protocol.

After being tubed EmerAid Intensive Care Carnivore three times a day for several days, the patient was able to begin taking solid foods. Radiographs and repeat blood tests were performed to ensure the patient had no underlying issues.

Within two weeks the patient had put on enough weight to be moved outside and begin flight conditioning. On October 6, 2020, the Swainson’s hawk was released just in time for southern migration at a weight of 910 grams (about 2 pounds).