WATCH: Florida Wildlife Hospital Celebrates ‘Freedom Friday’ with Release of Four Red-Shouldered Hawks at Cocoa Conservation Area

These birds of prey play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Florida Wildlife Hospital celebrated another successful Freedom Friday by releasing four rehabilitated Red-shouldered Hawks back into their natural habitat at the Cocoa Conservation Area.

The special release was made possible with the support of City of Cocoa Councilmembers Lorraine Koss and Patricia Weeks, who joined Florida Wildlife Hospital staff and volunteers to witness the hawks take flight after receiving expert care and rehabilitation.

Red-shouldered Hawks are a common sight throughout Florida, often recognized by their distinctive reddish-brown chest, boldly banded tails, and unmistakable piercing call.

These birds of prey play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by helping control populations of rodents, reptiles, and other small animals.

Each hawk released represents countless hours of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and dedicated care provided by the Florida Wildlife Hospital’s team, whose mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and return Florida’s native wildlife to the wild whenever possible.

The release at the Cocoa Conservation Area highlighted the importance of partnerships between local governments and wildlife organizations working together to preserve Brevard County’s natural resources and protect native species.

The Florida Wildlife Hospital continues to encourage residents who encounter injured or orphaned wildlife to contact trained wildlife rehabilitators rather than attempting to care for the animals themselves.

Friday’s release served as another inspiring reminder that, through community support and conservation efforts, Florida’s wildlife can receive a second chance—and another opportunity to soar.

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