Injured Crow Released Into Wild After San Rafael Cop Mishap
SAN RAFAEL (CBS SF) -- An injured crow rescued by a San Rafael police officer was released back into the wild Wednesday after suffering a compound fracture to its wing, police said.
Officer Phil Melodia watched Crow No. 1730 take its first steps and take flight after almost two months of rehabilitation.
Melodia ran over the crow with his police mountain bike in early November, but helped save it by taking it to Wildcare, an animal rescue center in San Rafael.
Wildcare staff treated the bird with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine in addition to binding the bird's broken wing, police said.
Melodia asked Wildcare officials if he could visit the crow, but Wildcare policy doesn't allow people to visit recovering animals.
But Wildcare officials told Melodia he could watch the crow's release into the wild if its wing healed, according to police. He was contacted via email and was able to see the crow fly again Wednesday.
In a press release, the San Rafael Police Department thanked "the staff and volunteers at Wildcare for taking a tragic situation and turning it into a truly happy holiday ending."
