Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Hawk attack

I want to know three things...

OK -- Having seen the longer video now, I revise some of my initial impressions.

There's still a couple of things which bother me, though. First, how is it that Animal Planet's cameras happened to be right there, at the right time, recording this whole thing?

Second: Why is it that whoever put Flash in his holding box didn't check the latch to be darn sure it was secure? That's one of the FIRST things I was taught about putting a bird in such a box, and giving the door a tug before walking away is something I never got out of the habit of doing.

In any case -- I'm glad the keeper and birds are OK, and I also admire the keeper's honesty and professionalism with the audience in explaining what happened.

Now, with that said: It's a constant source of bafflement to me why shows like "Untamed and Uncut" insist on sensationalizing natural behaviors. Do people not realize they're looking at predator/prey in action in a situation like that?

The really bizarre part is cockatoos are hardly part of a Harris hawk's normal diet. My guess is Flash was either REALLY hungry, or was merely upset about another bird in what they thought of as his/her territory.

Keep the peace(es).
 
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The incident was not filmed by Animal Planet, it was recorded by one of the zoo's visitors watching the bird show.

During the bird show, Flash is supposed to catch a lure that is thrown from the middle of the stage. Maybe as he was flying down the hill all he saw was the keeper with the cockatoo and got confused, so he attacked.
 
Thanks. That clears up one mystery.

As far as Flash getting "confused" and attacking as a result? That's not something I'd buy. Hawks don't attack something or someone because of confusion. They do so because they perceive either food or a threat.

No, this was either a food or territory-defense response. I'm uncertain which, but I very much doubt there was any confusion on Flash's part. Judging from the footage, I'd say he was trying damn hard to go through the keeper and get to Scooter.

I can only hope whoever sets up for the bird shows is going to be VERY careful about checking the door latch on the release box from now on.

Happier travels.
 
kc7gr said:
I can only hope whoever sets up for the bird shows is going to be VERY careful about checking the door latch on the release box from now on.
Click to expand...

The weird thing is that most of the times that I've seen the show the release box does not open, so a keeper has to run to the top of the hill to open the door for the hawk or macaws to come out. i wonder if this is a new release mechanism that did not work.
 
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