CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Cooper’s Hawk was admitted to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) after it was found floating in a Cape Coral canal, covered in an oily substance on Wednesday, Sep. 6.
Once the Cooper’s Hawk was admitted, CROW staff stabilized it and bathed it with soap to help remove the oil.
CROW will continue to monitor the hawk’s condition and make sure it does not show signs of oil ingestion.
According to CROW, oil causes birds’ feathers to mat and separate, which can degrade their overall quality.
The hawk will soon receive another bath in the next couple of days to remove any remaining oil or buildup.