Cpl. Jason Bayda of Osoyoos RCMP shows the kestrel hawk that he helped to rescue from the grille of a tractor-trailer. The bird was uninjured, but is resting at SORCO prior to release. (Photo supplied)
A kestrel hawk that flew into the grille of a tractor-trailer owes its life to a conscientious trucker and an Osoyoos RCMP officer.
RCMP Cpl. Jason Bayda said the driver was coming from Rock Creek when the hawk flew into his path and became lodged in the grille.
The driver was unable to free the bird on his own, so he continued to Osoyoos and stopped at the RCMP detachment.
There, with Bayda’s assistance, the two managed to free the hawk, which had only minor damage to its tail feathers.
The RCMP then contacted the SORCO Raptor Rehab Centre north of Oliver for an assessment of the bird’s possible injuries.
“It has no injuries whatsoever,” said Dale Belvedere, manager at SORCO on Monday. “It’s eating and we’ve got it contained to a flight cage.”
She planned to move the kestrel to a larger pen on Tuesday to allow it to build up some more strength before being released in the next week.
“The RCMP are appreciative the driver took the extra care to ensure this little hawk received the necessary help it required,” Bayda said in a news release.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
