10/06/2026
Last night, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division technicians were called to West Point for a juvenile red-shouldered hawk hanging from a power line over the Chattahoochee River. She had become entangled in fishing line, with a fishing lure hooked into both her foot and mouth.
Reaching her was going to be a challenge. With the hawk suspended over the river, DNR technicians initially thought a boat might be their best—and possibly only—option. Then, the City of West Point arrived with a bucket truck, but even at full extension, the crew couldn't quite reach her. They improvised by adding a long pole to gain the extra distance they needed and were finally able to bring her safely down.
As soon as she was free, a DNR WRD technician transported her straight to our wildlife hospital in Hamilton, where our rehabilitation team met them after hours to assess her injuries and begin treatment. During her examination, we found that one of the treble hooks had gone completely through her foot, while another had penetrated her lower beak and nare (nostril). Her foot was already significantly swollen from the soft-tissue trauma caused by the hook and her attempts to break free. Fortunately, the hook involving her mouth did not appear to cause permanent damage. After providing pain medication, we were able to carefully remove the lure and all of the hooks.
Aside from the injuries caused by the hooks and entanglement, she is in excellent condition. She is alert and strong, and we are optimistic that she will make a full recovery. She'll remain with us for the next few weeks while her wounds heal and she receives antibiotics, pain medication, and supportive care. Once she's healed and ready, our goal is to return her to the wild.
This rescue took a team—from the people who noticed a hawk in trouble, to Wildlife Resources Division - Georgia DNR, to the City Of West Point, Georgia crew willing to get creative to reach her, and finally to the medical and rehabilitation care she'll receive here. We're incredibly grateful to everyone who helped get her safely into care.
Now, we're asking you to be part of that team, too. 💚 Cases like this arrive without warning, but the medications, medical supplies, food, and weeks of care that follow are what get these animals from rescue back to the wild. If you'd like to help cover the cost of this hawk's care—and the next patient who needs us—please consider making a donation today.
Every gift helps us keep saying yes when Georgia's native wildlife needs us.
