No “Fowl” Play — Falcon Rescued From Maine Toy Store By Concerned Police Officers.

It isn’t often that the Ellsworth Police Department finds themselves wrangling charismatic birds of prey, but when a concerned toy store owner called police officers in Ellsworth, Maine for assistance with a “big hawk” that found its way indoors accidentally, they jumped to the rescue. 

Startled customers and employees of the Kiddo toy store watched in awe as the bird of prey, which turned out to be a peregrine falcon, became trapped within the walls of the store. Upon arrival, Officer Zachary Chandler sprang into action. With his years of experience in handling unique situations, Officer Chandler was well-prepared for the unexpected.

However, even he admitted to being taken aback by the unusual nature of this rescue mission.

“I’ve never had anything like that before, dogs sure, cats and dogs, but I’ve never had to go after a bird, especially not a falcon,” Officer Chandler shared with WVII-TV, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the situation.

Officer Chandler knew he had to act swiftly to ensure the falcon’s safety. Birds and other wildlife can suffer “capture myopathy” from stress, which can be fatal. According to the Ellsworth Police Department, the officer was “so concerned to not stress the falcon that he became stressed himself, so, dispatch offered him $5 to go buy himself a milk shake.”

Approaching the falcon with caution, Officer Chandler skillfully maneuvered through the store, mindful of the bird’s sharp talons. Step by step, he closed in on the falcon, ensuring not to startle it further. He gently captured the falcon, cradling it in his hands with a quick and precise movement. 

With the falcon safely secured, Officer Chandler made his way outside, where a curious crowd had gathered, anxious to witness the unfolding conclusion of the rescue mission. The anticipation in the air was palpable as Officer Chandler prepared to release the falcon back into the wild. With a gentle motion, he set the falcon free, its wings spreading wide as it soared into the open sky.

The rescue of the peregrine falcon in Ellsworth, Maine, touched the hearts of many and left a lasting impact on the community. It serves as a powerful example of the positive outcomes that can arise when individuals come together to protect and preserve the natural world around them. Through acts of kindness and compassion, we can make a difference, no matter how big or small.

For more details about this story, check out this video from Fox ABC Maine:

You can find the sources of this story’s featured image here and here.