What happened to hawk pushed from SLO County eagle nest? ‘It took off and it hasn’t been back’
The hawk that was adopted by — and subsequently chased out of the nest of — a family of eagles has officially found freedom in San Luis Obispo County skies.
The red-tailed hawk was first spotted living in a San Simeon eagle’s nest in May.
The chick survived alongside two eagle parents and their two eaglets for at least three weeks, before being chased out of the nest by one of the eaglets in June.
The hawk was seen dangling from the nest, before dropping through the branches of the sycamore tree and onto the ground.
After surviving the fall, the hawk was rescued and placed into a rehabilitation sanctuary at Pacific Wildlife Care, a Morro Bay nonprofit, before ultimately being released into the care of Kelly Vandenhuevel, a longtime local wildlife rehabilitation expert.
The hawk learned to fly and hunt in Vandenheuvel’s outdoor aviary in Cayucos for a few weeks, before being released into the wild on Aug. 5.
“It took off, and it hasn’t been back,” Vandenheuvel told The Tribune in September.
Before releasing the bird, Vandenheuvel ensured that it could successfully hunt live prey. She also took it to the veterinarian to screen for any health concerns that could prevent it from surviving in the wild.
The red-tailed hawk was released alongside two other rehabilitated birds. Though it was the last to leave the cage, the hawk took flight healthily, she said.
“When you see them take off and you know they’re doing well, it’s just a really good feeling,” Vandenheuvel said. “That’s our goal ... to make sure that they can be successful in the wild.”
To report or find care for a wild animal in need of assistance, contact Pacific Wildlife Care at 805-543-9453 or visit pacificwildlifecare.org for more information.
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