Man rescues injured hawk on Long Island Highway

NEW YORK (PIX11) – A man rescued an injured hawk that was stranded on the side of Sunrise Highway on Long Island Thursday afternoon.

Deb Oliver was driving when she noticed the injured bird. She turned to John DeBackerVice President of Long Island Cat and Kitten Solution.

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DeBacker contacted 911, and Suffolk County Police Department officers showed up to slow traffic.

Wearing jeans and gloves, DeBacker grabbed the hawk, which appeared dazed, video of the rescue showed. The bird flapped its wings and dug its talons into DeBacker before he placed the bird in a cage.

“I was afraid the hawk would fly into traffic,” he said. “The hawk was probably there for several hours before my friend called me and we were able to rescue him. I love animals, so if you see something, say something, especially if it’s an injured animal.”

DeBacker said he has been rescuing cats, birds and other animals since high school.

The hawk was taken to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown for examination. The full extent of his injuries is unknown.

Matthew Yuzarraga is a multimedia journalist based in El Paso, Texas. He has been covering local news and LGBTQIA issues in the New York City metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work. Here.

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