Rare hawk rescued during Maine snowstorm is euthanized

[jpak]

https://www.pressherald.com/2019/01/31/rare-hawk-rescued-during-maine-snowstorm-is-euthanized/

The great black hawk whose unusual presence in a Portland park drew visitors from across the country had to be euthanized because of extensive frostbite damage to its feet and legs, the group caring for the bird announced Thursday. The rare hawk, native to the tropics of Central and South America, was first seen in Biddeford in August and later took up residence in Deering Oaks Park in Portland, where it hunted squirrels and other critters as bird watchers gathered around with binoculars and cameras. The bird’s death led to an outpouring of grief and disappointment on social media, as well as gratiude for those who rescued and tried to save it.

The hawk was found on the ground in Deering Oaks Park during a snowstorm earlier this month and rushed to Avian Haven, a wildlife rehabilitation center in Freedom, where it was being treated for frostbite to its legs and toes.

Diagnostic testing that included infrared thermology and doppler ultrasound revealed no circulation at all in the feet or lower legs, Avian Haven said in a Facebook post Thursday morning. Underneath the bandages that covered its legs, both feet were discolored and beginning to decompose. By Wednesday, the bird was lying down during the day and was not eating as well as it previously had.

The decision to euthanize the bird was unanimous, “but tinged with regret, sorrow, even heartbreak,” Avian Haven wrote on Facebook.

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[2naSalit]

1. ...

Why does this feel like an omen?

[democratisphere]

2. Because it is.

[dhol82]

7. Of what?

[democratisphere]

8. The destruction of species due to unfavorable environments

caused by human activity.

[jpak]

4. The Maine birding community adopted this hawk as their own.

The Maine Audubon and Maine birders kept a lookout for it every single day after it reappeared in Portland - and posted it's daily activities on the Maine ABA site.

Everybody was rooting for it.

I saw it the weekend after Thanksgiving - a huge crowd of birders from all over came to see it.

It put on quite a show and didn't appear to be bothered by humans.

So sad.

[EveHammond13]

11. I am thankful for kind-hearted people who provided such humane care to this hawk

and to others as well I am sure. My heart is not strong enough for it. I would be wrecked.

[dhol82]

3. How incredibly sad.

Guess I was hoping for a miracle.
Surprising that no one noted it before the damage had been done.
Just sad.

[jpak]

6. Maine Audubon and lots of local birders kept tabs on it every single day.

That's how it got rescued.

[samnsara]

5. Godspeed little rare hawk....

[More_Cowbell]

9. I wish the headline had been shorter so I would have seen "euthanized"

I wouldn't even have clicked on the story

[Docreed2003]

10. Such a beautiful creature...

Many thanks to the folks who cared for this beautiful bird and had to make this difficult decision