ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Firefighters rescued a hawk Tuesday evening at Top Golf after the bird got stuck in the course’s net, according to Orange County Fire Rescue.
OCFR posted pictures to social media showing firefighters using a crane to reach the hawk.
This evening Orange County firefighters rescued a tired and scared hawk. We would like to thank Top Golf for shutting down temporally while fire units rescued the Hawk. We would also like to thank Audubon Center for Birds of Prey. They'll be caring for the hawk during recovery. pic.twitter.com/szLJBaB5kC
— OCFire Rescue (@OCFireRescue) February 8, 2023
According to Katie Warner, director of the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, the center was also contacted to help rescue the tangled hawk.
“The issue was getting to it,” Warner said. “It was very high up, but Top Golf had gotten in touch with the convention center, which I believe was across the street or very nearby.”
Warner said the convention center donated a bucket truck to help teams reach the hawk and untangle it. According to the post, Top Golf shut down operations temporarily to help fire crews rescue the bird.
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After the hawk’s rescue, it was left with the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, which will care for the hawk during its recovery, fire officials said.
Warner said the hawk didn’t suffer any major injuries — just some bruising and dehydration from hanging upside down for a while.
The center’s clinic team will monitor the hawk for another day or two, though the hawk will likely be released back into the wild soon, Warned told News 6.
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