Flying Again

Your legacy of caring for animals in need gives vulnerable wildlife like this lesser nighthawk a second chance. This bird was found in Carlsbad with a broken wing. He couldn’t fly, meaning without care he wouldn’t have survived. Fortunately, our Project Wildlife team was prepared to help this rare patient because of your support.

The lesser nighthawk was brought to our Pilar & Chuck Bahde Wildlife Center, where our veterinary team discovered a fracture of the left clavicle. We fitted the broken wing with a special wrap to allow it to properly heal and gave the bird medication to ease his pain and anxiety during this stressful situation.

After 15 days with the wrap, the lesser nighthawk could hold his wing up—and after five more days, he could fly across a room. Building his strength took time and patience, so we continued to work on flight conditioning.

After more than a month in our care, this bird was ready to return to his wild home. Our team released him, feeling good as new, back in front of a beautiful Carlsbad sunset! Releasing wildlife back where they belong is one of the most rewarding parts of rehabilitating animals in need—and this is only possible because of your support.

Thank you for giving injured animals the medical care and opportunity to heal and thrive. More than 13,000 wild animals will be cared for by our Project Wildlife team this year, and your generosity ensures they will receive care, nourishment, safe shelter and medical treatments.

Together, we are creating a more humane San Diego for animals of all shapes and sizes!

Your generosity ensures that we can continue to help animals in need like this rare lesser nighthawk. Contact Katie Chalmers at (619) 798-0498 or KChalmers@sdhumane.org to learn how you can extend your impact by including San Diego Humane Society in your estate plan.