FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A hawk missing from Fresno Chaffee Zoo since April 2024 has returned, 15 months after other hawks chased him away during a routine show at the zoo.

According to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, in April 2024, Ripley was taking part in the Winged Wonders Bird Show when he was chased from the site by a pair of red-tailed hawks. Ripley had been taking part in the show for more than seven years without incident.

Thousands of people shared his story, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo received dozens of reported sightings in return. Officials say zoo staff followed up on every lead, but none led to Ripley – until now.

On July 29, 2025, zoo officials say a resident in Prather noticed an unfamiliar bird in their yard. The resident later discovered that this bird appeared to be a Harris’s hawk.

Harris’s hawks were not native to that area, prompting the resident to search online for missing birds, eventually finding a news article about Ripley and contacting the zoo.

Zoo staff responded and confirmed the sighting was indeed Ripley. Determined to bring him home, the team waded into the pond and called out to Ripley, who recognized his caretakers.

After about 20 minutes of navigating his way down, officials say Ripley flew directly to the team and was safely recovered, finally returning home to Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Officials at the zoo say health checks show Ripley is in remarkably good condition, with only a few minor concerns. He is being treated at the zoo’s veterinary center and will remain there as he recovers.

Staff say whether or not Ripley returns to the bird show will depend entirely on his comfort level.