A Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputy in Tampa freed a red-shouldered hawk that became trapped under a pool cover this week, and the rescue was captured on the deputy’s body-worn camera. I watched the bodycam video posted by WSVN 7 Miami, which shows the bird submerged and struggling inside a screened-in enclosure at a home in the New Tampa area. The deputy lifted the pool cover and the hawk flew away after regaining its footing on the pool deck.
Red-shouldered hawks are common across Florida, often found near suburban neighborhoods with mature trees or open water. They hunt small rodents, snakes, and frogs, which means a homeowner with a backyard pond or bird feeder may occasionally see one circling overhead. The species is protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, so it is illegal to harm, capture, or kill one without a permit.
What this means for a Florida homeowner: if a hawk or other bird of prey gets stuck in a pool cover, netting, or fence, you should not attempt to handle it yourself. A raptor’s talons and beak can cause serious injury, and any effort to cut it free may injure the bird further. In Tampa and across Hillsborough County, the best step is to call the county animal services or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The sheriff’s office confirmed in its release that the deputy involved was trained in wildlife encounters.
The rescue was confirmed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by WSVN 7 Miami.
The notice is published by WSVN 7 Miami at wsvn.com.
