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PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), in partnership with Liberty Wildlife, will release a rehabilitated Swainson’s Hawk back into the wild at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 30).
The department responded May 27 to a call from the Mohave County Landfill about an injured hawk. A wildlife manager was able to safely rescue and transport the hawk, which had suffered a shoulder injury, to Liberty Wildlife in Phoenix for evaluation and rehabilitation.
The hawk likely had spent a few days on the ground unable to fly, leaving it malnourished and dehydrated. Liberty Wildlife staff was able to treat and rehabilitate the hawk, which has made a successful recovery. AZGFD biologists will place an identification band on the bird and attach a lightweight transmitter to track the bird’s progress, movement patterns and post-release survival as part of a larger project evaluating raptor migration through Arizona.
“Normally, this Swainson’s hawk would be returned to the area of rescue; however, since the hawk’s migratory pattern to South America has already begun, releasing the hawk from the Phoenix area will save her some flight time as she heads south for the winter months,” said Kenneth “Tuk” Jacobson, raptor management coordinator.
Media-only is invited to watch the release and gather photos, video and interviews. The hawk will be released from Liberty Wildlife, 2600 E, Elwood St., Phoenix, at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. Contact AZGFD PIO John Trierweiler if you wish to attend. Social distancing protocols will be in place and a mask or face covering will be required.
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