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http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/64319612.html?video=YHI&t=a (http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/64319612.html?video=YHI&t=a) Video

This red-tailed hawk died Wednesday after becoming stuck on a power line.

LEWISTON – Officials say it is not uncommon. Still, the death of a red-tailed hawk, caught up in power lines Wednesday, was a tragedy felt by those who experienced it.

It happened on Wawawai Road. Passersby noticed the distressed hawk, with its talon stuck to a wire coming off a power pole.

Avista was contacted, according to Pam Druffel of Pullman, but said crews could not respond to the scene immediately.

But Avista spokesperson Hugh Imhoff said crews did respond within two hours, that they were able to get the hawk untangled from the power line, but that the official from Washington Fish and Wildlife who usually responds to injured raptor reports was out of town and that crews were told to leave the bird alone once it was released.

Imhoff said the bird was in a ditch when crews left the scene.

Normally an injured raptor would be taken to the WSU Veterinary Hospital. College of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Charlie Powell said in fact the dead hawk was found Wednesday afternoon by Dr. Erik Stauber, a raptor specialist who headed up the raptor rehabilitation program at WSU for over 20 years.

Stauber transported the bird to WSU. Powell said the hawk died from electrocution, as evidenced by a foot that was missing.

Powell said it is critical to get to the birds early on once they are trapped on a power line, especially on a rainy day when they are unable to preen feathers to stay drive. He said they can also have a wide variety of injuries, usually fractures.

Imhoff said Avista responds to a number of calls involving raptors every year.


I'm not sure he could be saved but it sure took a long time to get a rescue. Poor baby.