Famous Falcon Returned to Metro Parks Zoo

During the spring of 2002, monitors recorded the hatching and raising of five Peregrine Falcons from atop a building in Cleveland.

During fall migration one of those young endangered falcons collided in Erie County injuring the bones in his wing and chest. There was a band on his leg, which allowed him to be traced to where he had come from. Contact with the US Fish and Wildlife Services banding organization confirmed this was Apache one of the falcons born in Cleveland that spring.

After contacting both the state and federal agencies to report an endangered species had been admitted to Tamarack Wildlife, we received a call from Dan Brauning. Dan is and ornithologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. We had met Dan at one of our fundraisers. He is very much interested in Endangered/Threatened Species.

Once it was determined the falcon could not be released to the wild, Dan searched to find a place for himto be permanently housed.

The staff from Metro Parks Zoo(Cleveland) contacted us and arranged a visit to see the condition of Apache.

Several state and federal permits needed to be obtained. Finally on March 13, Apache went to a new home. The last word I heard was Apache's wing was operated on . Once healed he would be trained so that he could be used for education programs.