After 15 months of searching, Ripley— Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s beloved Harris’s hawk—has finally returned home!
Many of you may remember the Zoo’s call for help back in April 2024, when 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. Thousands of community members shared his story, and the Zoo received dozens of reported sightings. Zoo staff diligently followed up on every lead over the following weeks, but none led to Ripley—until now.
On July 29, 2025, a resident in Prather, CA, 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. After searching online for missing birds in Fresno, they came across a news article about Ripley and contacted the Zoo.
Zoo staff responded immediately and confirmed the sighting was indeed Ripley. Determined to bring him home, the team waded into the pond and called out to Ripley. 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.
Initial health checks show Ripley is in remarkably good condition, with only a few minor concerns. He is currently being treated at the Zoo’s Veterinary Center and will remain there as he recovers. Whether he returns to the Bird Show will depend entirely on his comfort level as the team slowly resumes training.
“Ripley’s return is a testament to the relationships built between our animals and Zoo staff,” said our Curator of Outreach, Ronnie Kerestus. “Even after 15 months, he still trusted his caretakers. 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.”
Most importantly, Ripley’s homecoming wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Zoo’s incredible community.
“It was truly a massive effort from everyone in the Fresno community, and we are endlessly grateful to everyone who shared his story, sent in sightings, and supported the search to bring Ripley back where he belongs,” said Kerestus.
To stay up to date on Ripley’s return, follow the Zoo on social media or visit their blog at fcz.org/blog