Hawk rescued downtown during morning rush

WASHINGTON – Rush-hour commuters saw a hawk rescue up close Friday morning.

Washington Human Society animal control officers responded about 8:45 a.m. for a report of a hawk inside an underground parking garage at 1333 H Street NW. The agency, which serves as the District’s animal care and control, received multiple calls about the bird from workers coming and going from the garage.

The adult Cooper’s hawk probably flew into a car or a window. The creature was unable to fly and hopped around as Animal Control Officer Cindy Velasquez approached, she says.

The hawk possibly suffered a concussion, Velasquez says.

She took the bird to City Wildlife, which was attempting to find a raptor center that could rehabilitate the bird.

The hawk was otherwise healthy and is expected to recover.

Velasquez says Cooper’s hawks
are common in this region and it’s not uncommon for the society to respond to reports of hawks in Downtown D.C.

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