Harris Hawk rescued

Our firefighters don’t get in a flap when it comes to unusual animal rescues.

They flew into action yesterday evening when a Harris Hawk tangled itself on an aerial on top of a house in Harlow and couldn’t get free.

Crews were concerned that the bird of prey’s worried owner would try and scale the roof to rescue the bird which was in distress, so swooped in to help.

Firefighter Harry McWilliam received tips on how to carefully handle the bird from his owner, before he safely reached the hawk using an aerial ladder platform and untangled it.

Station Manager Scott Fretton praised Harry’s efforts. He said: “It was one of our more unusual animal rescues. Harry took advice from the owner and covered the bird in a blanket to keep him calm, before releasing him from the aerial and placing him in a box to bring him back to the ground safely.”

The hawk was happy to pose for a photo with Harry before being left in the care of his owner.

The rescue attracted quite an audience as worried residents came out to watch and helpfully moved their cars so the aerial ladder platform could get in position. 

They gave the aptly named Harry a round of applause when the bird was freed.