Latest news with #Harris'sHawk
New York Post
4 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Hawk returns to California zoo after 15-months in the wild: report
The hawk is in. A California zoo's months-long search for a beloved hawk came to an end with the raptor flying into the arms of the handlers it recognized, according to a report. Ripley, a star for the Fresno Chaffee Zoo's Bird Show, fled the coup in April 2024 after an encounter with a pair of aggressive red-tailed hawks, according to a KMPH report. 3 Ripley the Harris's Hawk was missing from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo since April 2024. Fresno Chaffee Zoo On July 29, a bird-watching local in Prather, Ca., noticed the striking Harris's hawk in their backyard, the report stated. 3 Ripley pictured after his return home. Fresno Chaffee Zoo 3 The grateful bird flew towards the arms of his handlers after recognizing them at the Prather, Ca., area home. Fresno Chaffee Zoo That person then learned of Ripley's tale online and reported the sighting to Fresno Chaffee Zoo. When hawk handlers arrived, Ripley recognized his longtime caretakers and, after 20 minutes, flew directly into their arms, according to the report. 'Ripley's return is a testament to the relationships built between our animals and Zoo staff,' Ronnie Kerestus, the Zoo's Curator of Outreach, told KMPH. Kerestus further expressed gratitude for the 'massive effort' of the Fresno community in returning Ripley to his habitat.
Buzz Feed
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
I Went Down A Wimbledon Rabbit Hole And Found 13 Surprising Facts
Wimbledon's just ended for the year, the trophies are handed out, the strawberries are gone, and everything looked picture-perfect on TV. But the more I dug in, the more I realised there's a whole other side to this tournament. Behind the neat lawns, there's a bunch of quiet rules and odd little traditions that barely anyone talks about. Here's everything I found. There is a pineapple on the trophy and nobody knows why. Some say it's because pineapples were a symbol of wealth and hospitality in 17th-century England. Others think it's a nod to colonial explorers who flexed by bringing back 'exotic' fruit. Wimbledon's 'all white or go home' dress code. Wimbledon's dress code is basically Victorian-core gone wild. Players can't just wear white, it has to be blindingly white. Not ivory, not eggshell, not 'oops-it-was-in-the-wash-with-a-blue-sock' white. And if your outfit has a coloured stripe thicker than a centimetre? You're out. Why? Because back in the 1800s, visible sweat stains were a scandal, and pure white was the ultimate sweat-camouflage. Yes, there are nail techs at Wimbledon. I used to think Wimbledon is just stiff upper lips and grass courts? Well, I just learned something shocking. Behind the scenes, players are out here getting manis, pedis, blowouts, and beard trims like it's Fashion Week. There are full-on beauty services available on-site, and yes, they're booked. The grass gets mowed daily to 8mm. The lush green courts? Yeah, those are mowed every single morning to exactly 8mm. Not 7.5, not 8.2—exactly 8. A full team of groundstaff babies that lawn year-round like it's the Queen's front yard. And while it used to be a blend of grasses, now it's 100% ryegrass because apparently, even grass needs to be durable under pressure. The strawberries used for Wimbledon's famous strawberries and cream are carefully handpicked. Not just any strawberry gets into Wimbledon. Only Grade 1 English strawberries from Kent, picked just the day before, are allowed in. They're inspected, chilled, and served with cream like it's 1877, because that's literally when the tradition started. Oh, and fans eat about 2 million of them every year. A trained Harris's Hawk named Rufus flies around Centre Court each morning to scare away pigeons. Rufus even has his own Wimbledon security pass. Just wow. The ball boys & girls are trained like athletes. They're called BBGs (Ball Boys and Girls) and they don't just show up and wing it. These teens go through months of intense training, we're talking drills on how to kneel, roll, sprint, and throw with military-level precision. Honestly, the selection process is so intense, it's almost harder to become a BBG than a junior tennis champ. Umpires are told to avoid saying 'love' too loudly. Because of the crowd noise and the word's ambiguity, umpires are trained to say 'love' (as in 15–love) clearly but not dramatically, so it doesn't get mistaken for cheering or comments. The tennis balls are kept in refrigerated containers at 20°C. Tennis balls are switched every 7–9 games to maintain consistency in bounce. They are kept in a refrigerated container at exactly 20°C for optimal performance. And those old balls? Some are sold to fans in the Wimbledon shop as souvenirs. The men's trophy can't be kept. Unlike many trophies, the gentlemen's singles trophy stays at Wimbledon. The winner only gets a replica about 3/4 the size. The original cup has been awarded since 1887, and no player, not even Federer, has ever taken it home. Bees & foxes can interrupt matches. You'd think Centre Court drama would come from tie-breaks or broken racquets, but sometimes it's foxes strolling across the grass or swarms of bees crashing the party. Yep, wild animals have stopped play. Groundskeepers now do off-hour sweeps to make sure no unexpected guests have moved in. Centre Court got bombed during WWII. During World War II, a 500-pound German bomb hit Centre Court and destroyed over a thousand seats. The tournament was put on hold, and the club grounds turned into a civil defense hub with carparks converted into mini farms to grow food. Tennis took a backseat until 1946 because, well, there was a war going on. This Wimbledon court got such a bad rep, they rebuilt it and renamed it. Court Two at Wimbledon was so infamous for top seeds getting knocked out early, it earned the nickname 'The Graveyard of Champions.' Big names would walk in confident and walk out stunned. It got such a rep that by 2009, they renamed it Court Three and then fully rebuilt it in 2011, probably hoping the bad juju wouldn't carry over.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Hawk attack leaves pensioner in hospital
A pensioner was left with blood streaming down his face after becoming the latest victim of a hawk's reign of terror over villagers. In its latest attack, the bird of prey dive-bombed Jim Hewitt, 75, with its claws going through his cloth cap. The Harris's Hawk is thought to have attacked more than 50 residents – predominantly tall men – in the village of Flamstead, Hertfordshire. Some villagers are now calling for the hawk to be stopped by any means necessary. Speaking about the attack, Mr Hewitt told the BBC: 'There was so much blood, as I am on double blood thinners. It was a shock at first, and then I realised what had happened. 'God forbid it happens to a child. It could scar for life and could easily take a child's eye out.' He said he now believes the bird should be put down 'without a doubt, as it is getting serious'. Neighbour Lizzy Atkinson, who said Mr Hewitt looked like the victim of a 'knife attack', patched him up with a bandage before he went to see his GP and was sent to hospital. She said the situation was getting 'very dangerous now', adding: 'A gentleman came into the pub last week and said he had been attacked five times. 'If this was a dog that had bitten and drawn blood this many times then it would not be in the village any more.' The bird was first spotted in the area around two months ago. It now appears to now be going after women and children, having recently attacked an 11-year-old boy on his way home from the park. Flamstead parish council said it was 'very aware of the severity of the situation', but had no authority to terminate the bird. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
A wayward hawk has been attacking tall men - now the quiet town wants to save it
Villagers in a quiet Hertfordshire community are rallying to save a rogue hawk that has been divebombing unsuspecting locals, sparking both chaos and a campaign to protect it. The Harris's hawk, a bird usually native to Brazil, Argentina and Chile, has caused havoc in the historic parish village of Flamstead, swooping down and attacking tall men over the past month. Professionals and local falconers have been recruited in an attempt to bring the bird under control. Rhonda Draper, a resident of the village, has launched a petition to save the falcon, which she says 'deserves understanding'. The Harris's hawk is characterised by 'bold markings of dark brown, chestnut red, and white; long yellow legs; and yellow markings on its face', according to the birdwatching website All About Birds. There are believed to be thousands of Harris hawks in the UK, but only a few are known to be living in the wild. They can also be kept privately in the UK. Earlier this month the local parish council warned it was getting close to having to euthanise the bird following the number of attacks. Ms Draper said the escaped Harris hawk was struggling to readjust after captivity and should not be punished for its behaviour. She said a falconer was working to recapture the bird and urged the community to allow him time. Calling for support, she said wildlife experts should assess the situation to ensure the hawk's safe reintegration. 'I pen this as an earnest plea from a resident of a peaceful village that has recently become a haven for an escapee— a Harris's Hawk. 'This bird of prey, native to our region, has found solace among us after escaping captivity. However, its capricious behaviour, such as sporadic attacks on people and swiping hats has alarmed some.' 'Instead of a death sentence, it deserves understanding,' Ms Draper added. Their high intelligence has made them popular for falconry, with trained birds used to remove unwanted pigeon populations from Trafalgar Square and tennis courts at Wimbledon. The Flamstead resident continued: 'This issue personally hits me as I stand by the belief that every living being has a right to live - humans or wild animals - such as our Harris's Hawk. 'Hawks are beings of immense ecological value contributing significantly in controlling rodent populations. 'Punishing the bird for its former captor's negligence and not providing it ample chance and time to revert to its natural habitat is inhumane and unfair.' It is unknown where the Harris's hawk has come from, with the local zoo in Whipsnade confirming it was not one of theirs. Resident Roy Lambden, 68, previously told The Times he was out walking when he 'felt a whack' on his head, and soon realised he was bleeding. 'It was only from the corner of my eye that I realised it was a bird because I saw it fly away,' he said. 'I was one of the first to be hit by it. Since then, around 20 people I know have been attacked. Lots of bleeding heads — my friend who is bald has got two scars from it.'
