SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo has safely recovered its 11-year-old gyrfalcon (jhur-fall-kon). The female raptor was found this afternoon at the King County Cedar Hills landfill in Maple Valley, Wash., the same site where the falcon was found two years ago after flying off.

The falcon flew off zoo grounds Sunday during a flight demonstration. Although she had been wearing a radio antenna, keepers were unable to receive a signal. Fortunately, authorities at the landfill notified the zoo after spotting her. “We are very thankful to the staff there for guarding the bird and watching her until the keepers arrived,” noted zoo Animal Collection Manager Helen Shewman. Keepers discovered the falcon’s antenna had fallen off the transmitter and that was why they were not getting a signal.

Zoo animal health staff has examined the bird and will continue to observe her for the next 24 hours to monitor her activity and appetite. “She has lost a little weight but otherwise appears to be in good condition without any signs of injury,” reported Shewman. The gyrfalcon will return on public view tomorrow at the zoo’s Raptor Center.

“Our raptor keepers searched for the missing bird from sunrise to sundown. Without a radio signal to follow, it was very challenging,” explained Shewman. “We also followed several leads on reported sightings from many individuals, so we’re very grateful to the community for responding to our appeal for help. Many of the calls proved to be hawk and other types of falcon sightings, but we’re fortunate that the public awareness about raptors in our region is apparently very high.”

The gyrfalcon is used in the zoo’s raptor demonstrations and outreach educational programs. While the raptors may occasionally fly off during a free flight program, they usually return within hours. The zoo’s birds of prey are not trained to hunt and are accustomed to getting food from their keepers.

Gyrfalcons range throughout the arctic regions of North America, Greenland, Europe and Asia. A powerful and agile hunter, falcons usually catch their prey, primarily birds, in the air. Gyrfalcons can live up to 25 years in zoos.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.