Kodiak the Giant Eagle Still Loose in Pittsburgh After a Near-Capture

Kodiak the ocean eagle has been on the unfastened in Pittsburgh for almost a full week, as workers from the National Aviary wrestle to seize the wayward hen. The zoo informed Gizmodo that Kody, as he’s nicknamed, was almost caught this morning and seems to be in good well being.

It should be a really annoying time on the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The facility is dwelling to greater than 500 birds spanning some 150 species. In addition to caring for these many birds, the workers is now having to seek for Kodiak, a Steller’s sea eagle that escaped from his enclosure this previous Saturday, September 25.

Officials with the aviary are asking the general public to report sightings however not method or try to seize the hen. Steller’s sea eagles, native to coastal northeastern Asia, feed totally on fish and sea birds. (Kody is deemed not a risk to pets nor individuals.) Kody has been within the care of the aviary for the previous 15 years, and the workers is keen to get him again.

The aviary has obtained lots of of calls over the previous week, and its workers is barely responding to probably the most promising leads, as Molly Toth, communications and content material specialist on the National Aviary, defined in an electronic mail. People who spot the hen are requested to name the aviary at 412-323-7235.

“We continue to receive tips, and have had several confirmed sightings,” Toth stated. “We believe Kody is spending time between North Park and Riverview Park and areas near Pittsburgh’s Northside.”

Starting final Saturday, the aviary “launched a coordinated effort to find a way to bring Kody home,” Toth stated. “Animal care staff, volunteers, and even administrative staff have been working in teams to search for Kody and respond to sightings reported by the community.” Other workers members are staying behind to deal with different birds and animals on the aviary, whereas additionally mapping sightings, getting ready snack baggage for the restoration groups, answering calls about sightings, and reaching out to the neighborhood for additional assist, stated Toth.

Steller’s sea eagles are among the many largest raptor species on Earth, that includes a 6-foot-wide wingspan. Nothing like this has ever occurred earlier than on the National Aviary, so I requested Toth how the enormous hen is likely to be apprehended.

“There are many techniques our staff may use to bring Kody home safely,” she replied. “Our staff have animal behavior expertise and a deep knowledge of Kody as an individual and insight into his behavior. The techniques they use will be context-dependent, and may include food as rewards as well as professional falconry equipment such as soft netting.”

Encouragingly, or perhaps frustratingly, the group got here very near capturing Kodiak earlier Friday—or not shut in any respect, relying in your perspective.

Thanks to a sighting of Kody within the North Park space, the group was capable of pinpoint the hen’s location, and so they noticed him “roosting at the highest point of one of the tallest trees,” in response to an emailed assertion. The group, together with the aviary’s government director, arrange camp and monitored the eagle all through the night time. The group confirmed that Kody continues to be in “excellent health and body condition,” defined Toth. The group set out some meals in hopes that Kodiak would fly towards them, however “unfortunately earlier this morning Kody did not come down, and was last sighted flying towards North Park,” in response to the assertion.

Oof. This might take some time.

Catching Kody will probably require a fortunate set of circumstances or his personal choice to return to his handlers. Or, he might proceed to elude seize. Either method, we’ll maintain our eye on this ongoing story.

More: Why Scientists Think This Silly-Ass Bird Can’t Stop Looking at Its Reflection.