Picture submitted by Cpl. Jen Bovee Cpl. Jen Bovee and Cpl. Noelle Schad, of the Pennsylvania State Police, rescued a red-tailed hawk when they responded to a call for an injured bird on Rt. 6.

An injured hawk is getting a new lease on life thanks to an observant driver and two State Police officers.

Last Wednesday at 4:15 p.m., a motorist called emergency services for an injured eagle on Route 6 in Conewango township.

When Corporals Jen Bovee and Noelle Shad showed up on the scene minutes later, they found what was identified as a red-tailed hawk in the road.

Shad is the station’s animal cruelty liaison and, as such, has the knowledge, experience, and equipment to properly secure the distressed hawk. The team was able to transport the bird back to the barracks without incident. Bovee relayed that there was no obvious or apparent injury to the hawk and that the Game Commission felt the bird was malnourished and not injured.

“The bird was very docile; Cpl. Shad was able to scoop it up using gloves and held it while we transported it back to the station to meet the Game Commission,” Bovee said.

Shad used gauntlet gloves, which she uses as a precaution to handle all injured birds safely. Bovee relayed that there was no apparent injury to the hawk and that the Game Commission felt the bird was malnourished and not injured.

The Game Commission was able to transport the hawk to Tamarack Wildlife Center in Saegertown for evaluation and care.