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A hawk went missing in April 2024 when he was chased away by two red-tailed hawks at Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California
On July 29, the animal, named Ripley, was spotted by a community member, so the zoo staff went out looking for him
“Remarkably, he recognized his caretakers. After about 20 minutes of navigating his way down, Ripley flew directly to the team and was safely recovered,” the zoo said
Fifteen months after a hawk named Ripley flew the coop, the missing bird is back home at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California.
The zoo announced Ripley’s return on Aug. 12, reminding everyone how he got away and how staff aided in his safe homecoming.
“Ripley, a Harris’s hawk who had been flying in the Bird Show for over seven years, was chased from Roeding Park by a pair of red-tailed hawks following a Bird Show [in April 2024],” the Fresno Chaffee Zoo wrote in a news release.
“Thousands of community members shared his story, and the zoo received dozens of reported sightings,” they added. “Staff diligently followed up on every lead over the following weeks, but none led to Ripley — until now.”
After months, the zoo caught a break at the end of last month. “On July 29, a resident in Prather noticed an unfamiliar bird in their yard. Curious, they did some research and discovered that this bird appeared to be Harris’s hawk and was not native to the area,” the zoo said.
"After searching online for missing birds in Fresno, they came across a news article about Ripley and contacted the zoo," the West Coast establishment continued.
“Determined to bring him home, the team waded into the pond and called out to Ripley,” the zoo added. “Remarkably, he recognized his caretakers. After about 20 minutes of navigating his way down, Ripley flew directly to the team and was safely recovered, finally returning home to the zoo.”
Ripley returned in “good condition, with only a few minor concerns." The hawk is now being treated at the zoo’s veterinary center.
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“Ripley’s return is a testament to the relationships built between our animals and zoo staff,” Ronnie Kerestus, zoo curator of outreach, said in a statement.
“Even after 15 months, he still trusted his caretakers,” Kerestus continued. “The zoo’s teams build trust with all our animals to not only assist them in their everyday lives but also in moments like this, where no elaborate plan was needed to safely recover Ripley, just trust.”
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