Round Lake Beach Police Department Sgt. Ken Lupi rescued a hawk that landed on a person in the Walmart parking lot in Round Lake Beach and notified Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation. | Provided Photo

A Round Lake Beach police officer is being credited with rescuing a hawk that was found in distress in the parking lot of a shopping center on Christmas Eve.

The Round Lake Beach Police Department said a hawk that appeared to be in distress was found in the parking lot of Walmart, 2680 North Route 83 in Round Lake Beach.

The hawk “found solace” in Sgt. Ken Lupi and Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation was quickly notified, police officials said.

The organization is a licensed non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center based in Barrington that cares for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation said the juvenile red-tailed hawk flew down and landed on a person in the Walmart parking lot.

A woman put out her hand and the hawk stepped onto her hand where it stood until police arrived.

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Lupi took control of the hawk and brought it back to the police department until the organization picked it up.

The hawk was “filthy” but in good health. “We suspect that someone may have illegally raised the hawk in captivity, so we will be evaluating it for human imprinting or habituation,” Flint Creek Wildlife said.

“Thanks to the public and to Round Lake Beach Police Department!” the organization said.

Flint Creek Wildlife said Christmas Eve evening was busy for them.

They also rescued an opossum that was hit by a car in Woodstock and a Cooper’s Hawk that appeared to have hit a window in Morris.