Dear Friend of WBF,

I am writing today to share a story with you about a young red-tailed hawk named Stephen Hawking and a young New Yorker, Juan Zorrilla, who saved his life. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, the Wild Bird Fund was there to coordinate Stephen’s care and rehabilitation.

 Back in July, while cycling on the Hudson River Greenway at 172nd Street in Manhattan, Juan watched a young red-tailed hawk hit a tree while chasing his dinner. The injured bird was lying on the ground. Juan quickly took off his shirt, wrapped the bird for protection, and then enlisted the help of two officers from the NYPD 33rd Precinct (upper left image). He hopped into their patrol car and brought the hawk to the Wild Bird Fund on the Upper West Side.

WBF staff found that the bird had multiple fractures in his left femur. Often such a serious injury would be fatal, but Dr. Shachar Malka and his team at the Long Island Bird and Exotics Veterinary Clinic in Great Neck took a chance and operated on the leg, inserting a pin the length of the femur and stabilizing the smashed fragments of bone. (Center image).

A month later the pins were removed. One week later, following cage rest, on September 7, 47 days after his accident, Stephen was transported to The Raptor Trust in New Jersey for flight time in outdoor cages (upper left image). Within a couple of weeks, he should be strong enough to be released back into the skies.

Everyday acts of heroism are not unique to the Wild Bird Fund; this story has a happy ending because of New Yorkers like Juan. I know this story has inspired me, and as a result, between now and midnight on October 20, I am offering to double-match all gifts up to $40,000 — if you give $100, I’ll add $200. With your generosity, we can raise more than $60,000 for WBF this fall and ensure that other birds can get the care and rehabilitation that Stephen did.

Will you join me in supporting the Wild Bird Fund and make a gift today to triple your impact? You can also make your gift recurring by donating monthly when you click here.

The Wild Bird Fund is New York City’s only wildlife rehabilitation center. Every year, they treat more than 6,000 sick or injured birds, including hawks like Stephen Hawking. You may not know this, but the Wild Bird Fund is almost completely reliant on the generosity and volunteer labor of New Yorkers and supporters like you. Thank you.

With your commitment and dedication, WBF remains a wonderful community resource, a vital haven for vulnerable birds who must navigate Gotham’s unforgiving streets. The birds of New York are part of our community, and when we come together to help them, as Juan and the NYPD and Dr. Malka and the rehabbers and volunteers of the Wild Bird Fund did for Stephen Hawking, this is New York at its brilliant best.

Best,
Donald Taffner, Jr.

Supporter of the Wild Bird Fund

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