SEATTLE - Woodland Park Zoo is again seeking the community's help in
searching for its 11-year-old gyrfalcon (juhr-fall-kon). The female bird of
prey has been missing since Sunday when she flew from the zoo's Raptor
Center during a flight demonstration. The gyrfalcon was captive bred by a
licensed breeder and has been at the zoo since she was 7 weeks old and is
used in zoo educational programs.

"We're asking anyone who thinks they see the bird to contact the zoo if they
spot a large gray bird not common to this area," says zoo Animal Collection
Manager Helen Shewman. People should look for a chunky raptor that appears
larger than a football when perched, with a gray back and head, dark eyes, a
wingspan of approximately 4 feet, yellow feet and a hooked beak. Her breast
and belly appear very white from a distance. She is wearing 6-inch long
white straps (known as jesses) hanging from each leg, and may have a thin
wire radio antennae hanging on her leg.

People should also try their best to keep their line of sight on the bird.
If anyone has a sighting, please call the zoo at 206.684.4880.