A Harris’s Hawk named Stax has returned to HawkWatch International headquarters after being missing for nearly 100 days. The bird was recovered on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following months of monitoring and recovery efforts by staff, volunteers, and community members in Salt Lake City and beyond.
Stax's disappearance began after he escaped from HawkWatch International headquarters in Sugar House on Monday, June 29, 2026. The search involved people across Utah, from Tremonton to St. George, and included a sighting on July 7, 2026, at the Salt Lake Country Club.
Because Harris’s Hawks are not native to Utah and do not migrate, HawkWatch International continued recovery efforts through the summer and fall to ensure the bird's safety before winter weather arrived. The recovery plan involved the Utah Falconry Association and HWI scientists who used expertise in raptor biology and trapping to locate the bird, which could no longer survive in the wild due to injuries sustained during its falconry career.
Educator Call Vande Veegate, a member of the Education & Outreach team, recovered the hawk on Tuesday night. Following the recovery, Stax underwent a veterinary examination by Dr. Nicolle Lofgren of Mountain West Veterinary Exotics.
Stax was reported to be in good health upon capture and received a clean bill of health from the veterinary team. The hawk will undergo a quarantine for at least one week to prevent the transmission of diseases or pathogens to other Raptor Ambassadors at the facility.
HawkWatch International is a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit organization celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. The organization is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and their habitats through research, education, and stewardship.
