Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved
News from Cherokee Nation
Copyright © 2004 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - An injured Red Shouldered Hawk has returned to the sky thanks to the efforts of two Cherokee Nation citizens who share a passion for wildlife.
Red Shouldered Hawk 
"It's our responsibility (to take care of hurt animals)," said Pat Gwin, who is also an employee of the Cherokee Nation. "A lady called with an injured hawk and wanted to know if we would come and get it."
When Gwin arrived, the hawk was unable to fly and in need of medical attention. He contacted Don "Cloud" Davis at the Arkansas National Park and Wildlife Center in Mena, Arkansas. Davis, who is also a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, agreed to rehabilitate the animal, which turned out to have a torn rotator cuff that was inhibiting his ability to fly. After just three weeks of rehabilitation, Davis returned the animal to the Cherokee Nation where it was released at the Cherokee Nation Pow Wow Grounds.
"This bird is going back where God intended it to be," Davis said. "That’s the beauty of it, they come in, we fix them and we let them go."
The Arkansas National Park and Wildlife Center is home to more than 200 animals and has trained wildlife specialist on staff to assist with rehabilitating injured animals. The center is funded through gate admission fees and private donations from concerned citizens like Gwin who sent along money to board the hawk.
"There is no fee to rehab animals, but we do appreciate donations," Davis said.
"It's (give donations) just the right thing to do," Gwin said.
Gwin, who has also worked as a wildlife specialist, has been involved in saving numerous wild animals and often pays for any rehabilitative costs associated with them, ranging from surgery and medication to rest and relaxation in a safe environment. While driving to his parent's house on Christmas day, he spotted a Screech Owl that had been hit by a car lying along the side of the road.
"I've just done it (helped animals) all of my life," Gwin said. "I do it out of respect for the animal. This owl was hit by a car and that is not a natural way for an owl to go. Certain things deserve a certain amount of respect."
Gwin has taken care of the owl ever since, even allowing it to live inside his house.
"Would you want to live outside in this weather?" Gwin said while holding the small owl that seemed to feel right at home in his hands.
Gwin trapped mice and birds for the owl to eat and nursed it back to health. However, an eye injury will prevent it from ever being able to hunt food for itself in the wild, so the owl is going to live at the Arkansas National Park and Wildlife Center where it will be used in a breeding program.
According to Davis, if a wild animal cannot be released to the wild due to an illness or used in an educational or breeding program, federal law mandates that it be euthanized.
"Basically, we’ve saved its life," Davis said. "I'm very blessed to get to do what I do. I just love them all, from chipmunks to bears. I think a love of nature is just inherited through indigenous blood."
| Related contact information: |
|
Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |