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October 13, 2006

Warhawk I arrives in Monroe

ULM's new red-shouldered hawk, named Warhawk I (one), arrived by plane on Friday, Oct. 13 at the Monroe Air Center.

Bryan Henderson, a senior aviation student from Winnsboro piloted a plane from Monroe to Orlando, Fla. Henderson, a commercial pilot with multi-engine and instrument ratings, was accompanied by ULM's Jeff Taylor, assistant professor of management and aviation, and Lola Curtis of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo.

ULM officials are looking forward to this unique partnership with the zoo. Zoo trainers will accompany the hawk to all of ULM’s home games, in addition to caring for it at the zoo. ULM officials will work with zoo trainers to provide educational opportunities in the community, beginning with appearances by the hawk at local schools.

More about Warhawk I:

The hawk hails from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, an urban environmental nature center and a raptor rehabilitation center, in Maitland, Fla.

Of the six-month-old hawk, Diana Flynt, a rehabilitation supervisor at the Audubon Center said, "She's very curious and very tolerant. Nothing fazes her."

The hawk, now almost 2 pounds, was a one-week-old nestling when she was rescued on April 12. Officials from the Audobon Center tried to "puppet-rear" the hawk. The staff wore camo gear and used a puppet of a red-shouldered hawk (that had died and been stuffed via taxidermy) to feed her. The staff did this so the bird would not view the caretakers as its parents. It did not work, and thus the hawk is very comfortable around humans.

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