Hawk flies away from Earth Day activities

Dave Reutz, left, and Cpt. Kurt Williams of the Jefferson City Fire Department assist Michael Zeloski as he climbs down a JCFD ladder after retrieving an AWOL hawk from a Madison Street building.

By Madeleine Leroux

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Earth Day events at the Missouri Capitol proved too stimulating for one performer.

Mesquite, a Harris’ Hawk from the World Bird Sanctuary, was coaxed down from atop a building on Madison Street on Friday afternoon, after flying away from the stage at the Capitol where he was slated to be part of a presentation by the sanctuary.

World Bird Sanctuary naturalist and Mesquite’s handler Michael Zeloski said the hawk had gotten overwhelmed by the activities at the Capitol when he flew into a tall tree near the stage.

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