It’s not unusual for crows to make a lot of noise around people. If you’ve ever walked too close to a nest, you’ve probably heard them letting you know exactly how they feel about it.
What officers at the North Bay Police Service didn’t expect was that the crows’ constant cawing would lead them to one of the sweetest stories of the summer.
According to the Facebook post below, officers began noticing unusual behavior from a family of crows that had made a home near police headquarters in early June. Whenever anyone walked through certain parts of the parking lot, the birds became especially vocal.
It didn’t take long for officers to discover why.
The crows were protecting a young fledgling that had recently left the nest but wasn’t yet capable of flying. Police said the bird’s parents stayed close, feeding and guarding their youngster while warning anyone who ventured too near.
The Parking Lot Had an Unexpected New Resident
Constable Solman, whose sister is a retired wildlife rehabilitator, recognized that fledglings commonly spend several days on the ground while learning to fly. As long as their parents remain nearby, the best approach is often to leave them alone and continue monitoring from a distance.
But everything changed on June 8 when the fledgling was found sitting in a puddle looking weak and unable to stand properly. With assistance from Constable Marcotte, who has a background in veterinary care, officers safely examined the bird and discovered it had suffered a serious foot injury.
Despite the efforts of the crow’s parents, the injured bird repeatedly wandered near traffic and even underneath parked police cruisers. By June 15, officers agreed it was time to seek professional help.
When Eli Needed Help, Officers Stepped In
Constable Solman contacted Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, where staff agreed to take the young crow for rehabilitation. After carefully avoiding several protective dive-bombing attacks from the bird’s parents, officers safely placed the fledgling into a carrier.
Before making the trip to the sanctuary the following morning, Solman took the bird home overnight and named him Eli, after the son of one of her officers who loves crows.
According to the department, Solman’s husband wasn’t even surprised when she walked through the front door carrying a crow in a box. Their family dog, Cedar, even donated a favorite turkey-shaped stuffed toy to keep Eli company overnight.
Staff at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary gave Eli a positive prognosis, and Constable Solman donated to the organization on behalf of the North Bay Police Service. She also volunteered to serve as the department’s contact when Eli is ready to be released.
Commenters Are Already Asking for Eli Updates
The heartwarming rescue quickly struck a chord with readers, many of whom were just as invested in Eli’s recovery as the officers who cared for him. One of the most common requests was for updates, with one commenter writing, “Don’t forget to post updates!! #Elifans.”
Several readers took the opportunity to recognize Constable Solman for her compassion. One commenter who knew her personally wrote that “nothing about this story surprises me,” describing her as a wonderful person, while another shared a story about Solman previously rescuing a skunk that had become trapped with a can stuck on its head.
Of course, no Facebook comment section would be complete without a friendly debate. A handful of viewers argued that Eli looked more like a raven than a crow, sparking a discussion over eye color, size, and other identifying features. Others pointed out that Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary deserved recognition as well, encouraging people to support the organization for its work rehabilitating injured wildlife of all kinds.