Red-Tailed Hawk With Lead Poisoning Fights To Recover

The following story was shared with us by Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Pennsylvania.

This is a very lucky red-tailed hawk that was admitted on February 8, 2021, after being found by a young child lying in the snow along the road in Red Lion. A Wildlife In Need (WIN) capture transport volunteer was able to retrieve the hawk and transfer to Raven Ridge immediately.

Upon intake this hawk was cold, wet, dehydrated, and emaciated. The rehabilitator knew by the clear signs the hawk was showing that this was more than likely lead poisoning, and it might be too late to save him.

The rehabilitator ran the blood work for lead poisoning and the reading was so high it didn’t even register on the lead machine. We always give an animal a chance, and we immediately started warming the hawk. We gave warm fluids and started chelation therapy.

This hawk’s rehabilitation was a tough one. The poisoning had attacked his nervous system, and he was unable to use his talons or stand, as his feet were in a permanent closed position.

As he was responding to treatment, the rehabilitator continued chelation, fluids, tube-feedings with EmerAid two to three times a day and physical therapy every day.

After three weeks, the hawk was able to stand and eat on his own.

The rehabilitator made foot “booties” for the hawk to learn to walk again and keep the toes from curling. After a week, the booties were removed, but the hallux (the back digit on the foot) was still curling. The rehabilitator created a popsicle-stick brace to help stretch out and strengthen the ligaments. This was the last of the rehabilitation for the hawk, but this was the most important. If this hawk was not be able to use his hallux, he would never be able to be released and would never be able to hunt on his own.

After a few days, the splints were removed and we watched holding our breath to see if he could use his feet, walk, and move the hallux independently. We shared quiet joy and high fives as it was clear — this hawk was going to be releasable. He was ready to move to outdoor caging for flight strengthening.