Video: Rehabilitated hawk returns to B.C. skies

Shauna Frankelson found the rain-soaked red-tailed hawk cowering beside a fence in Brookswood, at the Langley-Surrey border, early in January 2026. She named it Alan, after Alan Alda’s Hawkeye character in MASH. The bird had a badly injured wing, with a broken bone protruding through its skin, and was believed to have been struck by a vehicle.

Frankelson contacted OWL, which cares for sick and injured birds. After months of rehabilitation, OWL told her the hawk was ready to return to the wild near where it had been found. Alan was released in late August, and Frankelson was invited to open the enclosure as the bird flew into nearby trees. She said the bird was eager to leave and that seeing it fly again was emotional.

Frankelson walks her dog Cinder in the same neighbourhood daily but has not seen Alan since the release. Farmer Tyler Heppel approved her driving onto the field for the release and attended the event. OWL takes in about 55 animals from the Langley area each year and received more than 670 animals from across B.C. last year.

For dangerous wildlife, call the Conservation Officer Service’s 24-hour RAPP hotline at 1-877-952-7277. For most sick, injured or dead wildlife, take photos or video, note the location and do not handle the animal. It is illegal to possess live or dead wildlife in British Columbia without a permit; the Wildlife Rehabilitators’ Network of B.C. can help identify the appropriate group to contact.