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The Daily Plant : Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Hawk Released In Central Park


Daniel Avila

On the afternoon of Friday, January 15, 2016, the non-profit organization Wild Bird Fund released a rehabilitated red-tailed hawk in Central Park. The Buteo jamaicensis came to Wild Bird Fund from the Manhattan Animal Care Center where it was discovered to have been suffering from dehydration. Wild Bird Fund rehabilitators treated the hawk and successfully got the bird of prey back on its wings.

The red-tailed hawk is probably the most common hawk in North America. At the top of the food chain, the birds can hunt animals twice their weight and can reach diving speeds of up to 120 miles per hour. Their visual acuity is easily five times better than ours, and they can even see ultraviolet light. With these abilities, there’s not much that the red-tailed hawk needs to fear — except buildings.

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Raccoons in Central Park have tested positive for canine distemper virus. Although the virus cannot be transmitted to humans, it may be transmitted to dogs. Keep your pets safe in the park.

Please avoid wildlife and make sure your pets have up-to-date distemper and rabies vaccines. Keep your pet on a leash, especially during dawn and dusk.

Please call 311 or notify an on-site Parks employee if you see a sick or injured animal.

If you are bitten, wash the wound with soap and water immediately. Call your doctor to see if you need tetanus or rabies shots, and call 311 to report the bite.

The Health Department will continue to monitor this condition.


Anticipated Completion: Summer 2018

Nature CentersBelvedere Castle Visitor Center

Beginning Monday, February 26, Belvedere Castle will be closed for restoration. The castle will reopen to the public in 2019. To reach our Urban Park Rangers at Central Park, please call (212) 360-1444.

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Beginning Monday, February 26, Belvedere Castle will be closed for restoration. The surrounding plaza and terrace remain open, but will also close in the coming weeks. The Belvedere will reopen to the public in 2019. For more information on the restoration of Belvedere Castle, please visit Central Park Conservancy's website.

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