Salt Lake City, UT: (October 13th, 2026)—After nearly 100 days on his own, the hawk that had all of Utah’s eyes to the sky is finally home. The Harris’s Hawk, named Stax, was recovered on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following months of monitoring and recovery efforts by HawkWatch International staff, volunteers, and countless community members in Salt Lake City and beyond.
“We’re thrilled to share that Stax is safe and sound at HWI headquarters again,” Executive Director Nikki Wayment said. “Recovering a lost raptor is not an easy task, but thanks to the long-term dedication of our team and community, he’s home again.”
The search for Stax began immediately following his escape from HWI headquarters in Sugar House on Monday, June 29, 2026. Hundreds of people across Utah put their eyes to the sky, as far north as Tremonton and as far south as St. George, all in search of Stax. The effort paid off when Stax was successfully sighted on July 7, 2026, at the Salt Lake Country Club.
Harris’s Hawks are not native to Utah and are not known to migrate. For these reasons, HWI continued recovery efforts throughout the summer and fall, in hopes of bringing Stax home safely before winter weather arrived. With support from the Utah Falconry Association and HWI’s team of scientists, who leveraged their expertise in raptor biology and trapping, the team hatched a plan to recover this former falconry bird that could no longer survive in the wild due to injuries he sustained during his falconry career.
“While this is not an experience you wish for, the outcome speaks to the values we uphold as an organization,” Wayment said. “By studying the science, working alongside subject matter experts, and welcoming in a broad community that cares about conservation and the birds we work to protect, we were able to bring our beloved bird back home.”
Stax was recovered Tuesday night by Educator Call Vande Veegate, the newest member of the Education & Outreach team at HawkWatch International. Following his recovery, Stax received a thorough veterinary examination from his veterinarian, Dr. Nicolle Lofgren of Mountain West Veterinary Exotics. Stax will remain in quarantine for at least one week to ensure he does not transmit diseases or pathogens to HawkWatch International’s other Raptor Ambassadors.
“Stax appeared to be in good health when I caught him on Tuesday night, and I’m glad to hear that he has a clean bill of health from our veterinary team,” said Vande Veegate. “He’s going to have quite the story to share once he’s back in the classroom with us!”
ABOUT HAWKWATCH INTERNATIONAL
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, HawkWatch International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats through research, education, and stewardship. Based in Salt Lake City, with projects across the globe, HWI advances scientific understanding of raptors while inspiring people to care about and protect the natural world. More information is available here on our website, hawkwatch.org. Reporters can find our media kit here.
Media Contact
Kirsten Elliott
Development & Communications Director
Email: kelliott@hawkwatch.org Phone: (801) 648-9286
