Published: October 06, 2009 10:23 am      

Locals nurse hawk back to health

The red-tailed hawk waited as if to say thanks for the time, money and attention it took to repair its broken wing. The magnificent raptor Leslie Sams and her family helped save paused for several minutes before flashing through the open door of its cage.

In a instant, the bird spread its wings and flew into the dark green bottoms of Lake Sara in rural Effingham, ending a journey that was nearly over before it started.

When Sams found the injured bird by her property near Lake Sara, state conservation personnel informed her the hawk was not protected and they would not help the injured animal.

“They told me I should let nature take it’s course and let the hawk die,” Sams said.

Sams, who is admittedly a lifelong nature lover, took action. Sams and her brother contacted Tree House Wildlife Center in Brighton and secured a place for the hawk’s rehabilitation, then armed themselves with a crate and a pair of leather gloves, although the bird’s sharp talons still managed to pierce Dan’s gloves and skin.

“This was just something we did,” Sams said, downplaying the siblings’ role in the hawk’s recovery.

Sams, however, hopes the story of the hawk helps inform people about organizations that help injured animals and their continued need for donations.

Tree House Wildlife Center in Brighton is a nonprofit organization that houses animals ranging from squirrels to bald eagles, Sams said.

For more information about what to do if you encounter an injured animal or for additional information about the organization, visit www.treehousewildlifecenter.com.

Tony Huffman can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 135 or tony.huffman@effinghamdailynews.com