Only on 10: Two red-tailed hawks released back into the wild on Independence Day

EXETER, R.I. (WJAR) — Two injured red-tailed hawks, including one that was recently shot, regained their freedom on Independence Day.

The hawks, which spent about a month under the care of John and Vivian Maxson of Born to Be Wild Nature Center in Bradford, were just released back into the wild Tuesday afternoon.

"Independence Day. This is their return to freedom,” Vivian said. “This is what we strive for when we do wildlife rehab is returning them to the wild."

The timing was not a coincidence. Conditions were just right at Browning Mill Pond down by the Arcadia Management Area for the release.

"We couldn't be happier,” Vivian said.

It's not the first time you've seen one of the hawks on NBC 10 News.

A month ago, it was wearing a bandage on a fractured wing after the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management found it in Providence suffering from a would from a pellet gun.

Rescuers captured it on Violet Street.

"That wing healed well,” John said.

The other hawk was hit by a car. But now they're both ready to fly.

"1,2,3! Get up, baby! Get up there!” Vivian said.

Now, it's time to settle into a new home.

‘They can hunt all the way around the edges of it, so it's a perfect habitat for them,” John said.

It might just the place to find mates or make friends with neighbors.

"Great team effort, from the initial rescuers to the Rhode Island WIldlife Clinic, to the Born to Be Wild Nature center, and now back to freedom,” Vivian said.

shooting a red-tailed hawk is a federal and state crime.

At last check, no one was arrested in connection with the hawk who was shot.