The hawk who wanted to be a Tiger
The Auburn University Raptor Center helped the Auburn football program deal with an unexpected walk-on — or fly-in — recruit who bypassed college football’s transfer portal and traditional recruiting processes. In early February, a Cooper’s hawk found its way inside the football team’s indoor practice facility but couldn’t find its way out.
After being stuck inside the building for five days, the hawk was rescued by the AURC team, treated for dehydration and nursed back to health after being unable to access food and water for several days. The Cooper’s hawk was released at Auburn University’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum on February 13.