When the call came from the worker saying there was a raptor in an industrial liquid waste tank, we knew that every second counted. Racing back to RMRP with the lifeless bird all our rescuer could think was, "hold on, we're almost there." Covered in a heavy, gooey but thankfully nontoxic material, our medical team quickly gave the suffering hawk a quick wipe down then placed him onto a warming disk in the oxygen cage.

As you probably know, raptors have an amazing will to live, and this little guy just got stronger over the next several days. After three baths and just three days after admission, he was in an outdoor Rehabilitation enclosure with a "foster parent" hawk. These photos were taken just 5 days apart! Seven days after admission, he was in a flight cage and ready for prey testing.

The young Red-tail flew beautifully and passed "mouse school" with flying colors. Soon it was apparent that he was ready for release. On a calm summer morning, he returned to the Colorado skies.

This is how we use your gifts, to transform very sick raptors into healthy birds ready for their Second Chance At Freedom!

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