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WSU Veterinary Hospital Helps Real 'Seahawks' Take Flight
The university's Exotics and Wildlife team regularly treats injured ospreys, often called seahawks, and has successfully released many back into the wild.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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Washington State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital has a team dedicated to treating injured and orphaned wildlife, including ospreys - birds commonly referred to as 'seahawks'. Over the past 10 years, the hospital has cared for 45 ospreys, successfully releasing 3 back into the wild last year. The team also treats the live mascot of the Seattle Seahawks football team, an augur hawk named Taima.
Why it matters
The WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital plays an important role in rehabilitating wild birds of prey, including the iconic osprey, which is closely associated with the Seattle Seahawks NFL team. Their work helps protect and restore these birds, which are an important part of the local ecosystem.
The details
The Exotics and Wildlife team at WSU regularly treats ospreys, often called seahawks, for a variety of injuries including fractures, fishing line entanglements, toxicity, and electrocution. While historically the release rate for these birds has been low due to the severity of their conditions, last year the team was able to successfully release 3 ospreys back into the wild. The team also provides care for Taima, the live augur hawk mascot of the Seattle Seahawks, including a procedure in 2023 to remove a benign growth from his foot.
- Over the past 10 years, the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital has cared for 45 ospreys.
- In 2023, the hospital performed a procedure on Taima, the Seattle Seahawks' live mascot, to remove a benign growth from his foot.
The players
Marcie Logsdon
An avian specialist and certified wildlife rehabilitator at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Taima
The live augur hawk mascot of the Seattle Seahawks football team.
WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Operates one of the only 24-hour emergency services for wildlife rehabilitation in Washington east of the Cascades.
What they’re saying
“We have to make sure the baby is healthy and that we are not overloading the natural parents. Raptors are very good about caring for extra babies as long as they are the right age and in the right place.”
— Marcie Logsdon, Avian specialist and certified wildlife rehabilitator
“While we can raise orphans in captivity, they miss out on important life lessons. You just can't do better than mom.”
— Marcie Logsdon, Avian specialist and certified wildlife rehabilitator
What’s next
The WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital will continue its work rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, including ospreys, to help them return to the wild.
The takeaway
The WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital plays a vital role in caring for and restoring wild birds of prey, including the iconic osprey that is closely associated with the Seattle Seahawks. Their work helps protect these important species and maintain the local ecosystem.
