Potter Park Zoo’s Peregrine Falcon Found

LANSING, MI --- Potter Park Zoo staff and volunteers are proud to announce the safe return of the missing Peregrine Falcon, who is back at home after an exhausting four day search that ended Monday evening.

The bird, who escaped from a handler late Friday afternoon, was found just off of Aurelius Rd near Mt. Hope Ave. in a grassy field. Lansing resident, John Wood, was riding his bike through his neighborhood when he spotted the falcon by the side of the road. He immediately called the zoo with a report. In a matter of minutes, the zoo's education curator, Dennis Laidler, was on the scene and was able to confirm that the bird was in fact the Zoo’s missing Peregrine Falcon.

“He actually flew over and landed of top of the Zoo’s van,” explained Laidler. “Once I approached with his favorite snack (mice), he flew over to my arm and we were able to retrieve him.”

Once safely returned to the Zoo, the falcon was examined by the Zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Tara Harrison. Although hungry, he was found to be healthy and overall in good shape.

“We are so happy have him home,” said Laidler. “Thank you to all of the people who called in and reached out to help us with the search. We would not have been able to find him if it wasn’t for all of the community support we received.”

Potter Park Zoo is located at 1301 S. Pennsylvania Ave. within Potter Park along the Red Cedar River in Lansing, Michigan.  The zoo is open daily year-round, summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (517) 483-4222 or visit www.potterparkzoo.org

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