Happiest Of Endings As Injured Hawk Flies Free

EAST HAMPTON, NY — In the happiest of holiday endings, an injured hawk found in East Hampton soared to freedom Wednesday.

According to East Hampton's Dell Cullum, who runs Hampton Wildlife, a wildlife removal service, and is an ardent advocate for creatures in need of nurturing: "Today the beautiful young hawk who was rescued with a severe chest wound and torn esophagus just one month ago was released back into the wild where he was found."

He thanked Andrea Kess, the East Hampton Town police officer who found the hawk.

Cullum said he picked up the hawk early Wednesday morning and both Kess and he released it, just a short distance from where it was found. The hawk, he said, "was 100% back to normal thanks to Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rehab — and flew away strong and free."

He added that it was "a great ending to a great story of awesome folks coming together to save a hawk. You folks are the very best for sure." Cullum also wanted to thanks all those who made donations to EAWRR and the other groups when he posted on social media about the original hawk rescue. "Your generosity saves lives," he said.

The community came together in a big way last month to help the injured hawk.

Cullum posted on Facebook about what he said was "another awesome wildlife story worth sharing."

In November, Cullum said he got a visit from one of his favorite, "wildlife, caring police officers. The officer found a young hawk, standing, with a chest wound on the roadside. It allowed her to wrap it up in a water resistant material, and she transported it to me. We placed it in my carrier and I brought it to quiet, soft lit room. I removed the carrier top and examined the bird."

It was immediately evident, he said, that there was a hole in the bird's chest.

The hawk's eyes were wide open and it was panting, but not terribly, he said, adding that he covered the hawk.

"I called folks in the wildlife network, posted on social media for a transport and put a call out on the wildlife rescue app," he said.

He got a response from Susan Jaffie and was simultaneously advised to get the hawk to the East End Veterinary Center in Riverhead, he said.

He and volunteers rushed the bird to Riverhead, where a veterinary surgeon, "the most awesome Dr. Scarlett Magda of Veterinarians International, ordered X-rays and discerned that the hawk had a tear in its esophagus and chest," Cullum said, adding that a large bone in the hawk's stomach had caused the injury.

"Dr. Magda was able to suture the torn esophagus and the chest. It was a serious injury and the bird had to first make it through the night," Cullum said. "I'm happy to say the hawk did make it, and it was transported to the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, where it is rehabbing in the best place possible."

The story inspires, Cullum said.

"An incredible act of compassion and aid by a group of folks has given this beautiful hawk another opportunity at life," he said. "Now that's a story worth sharing. All these volunteers do this day in and day out."

He thanked the the East End Veterinary Center and Dr. Magda's organization Veterinarians International, Susan Jaffie, Dee Renos, "and the amazing crew" at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Center.

"And big thanks to East Hampton Town Police Officer Andrea Kess for her big heart. You all rock," Cullum said.

Photos courtesy Dell Cullum.