Primo and Boxer Update

On Friday night Primo was perched on the Alta Club building. Just at dark he flew off, low to the ground, west on South Temple Street and landed around the west side of JSMB, on the ground. If there had been any traffic on South Temple, he would have hit or been hit by a car. Bob picked Primo up, put him in the usual box, and had a very difficult discussion with all the falcon crew, and Joanne by phone, about whether Primo should be taken away from Temple Square for his own safety. Bob and most of the crew felt that Primo would likely end up being hit by a car in the near future. This was the third time Primo had landed in or near the street and cars in the last three days. So, with a heavy heart, I tell you the news that Primo is officially out of the program. He is with the Joanne, the rehabber, in a mew (a falcon cage) with the intent that he will be moved to a large enclosure soon where he can get some flight practice.

Some questions come to mind, which I will answer with my amateurish knowledge and input from Bob:

1. Will Primo be returned to Temple Square? Probably not, since within another month, Boxer will be leaving to find other territory (the adults don't allow the kids to stay in their territory too long), and migrating south come fall. Besides, all the buildings and glass are just unfriendly environs.

2. Will Primo be reunited with his family? Again, probably not. Falcons are not 'pack' animals but live solitary lives or as pairs and only with offspring for a short time. We've already seen the parents somewhat indifferent to Primo when he doesn't fly. Once he did attempt a flight, they would bring him food but otherwise there is not much interaction.

3. Will Primo be returned to the wild in some fashion? It's very possible if he gets better with his flights. Bob said there are canyons just north of Salt Lake City where falcons have nested in prior years that would be a much friendlier environment for him to be released.

4. Will we know what is the final outcome? Yes, Bob has said that he will be in touch with Joanne regularly and will keep me updated on Primo's progress. He is doing well so far and has been eating quail.

As for Boxer Sue, she is doing great! When I talked to Bob tonight he said that she was putting on a great show over Temple Square. He is feeling very good about her abilities. She has been seen taking prey hand offs in the air from a parent. She will be hunting soon.

This week the falcon crew will scale back our presence downtown. There will still be evening aerial shows and if you are interested you should take the time to come down to the grounds soon. We usually hang out on the sidewalk on South Temple Street, just between the Administrative Bldg and Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg.

Tomorrow, I will post some pictures of Macy that I received from a reader who was there that first day of fledgling. I was holding off until we felt sure all our tragedies were behind us.

I leave you with a picture of Bob Walters as he is given a very appreciated lift back to Falcon Central by carriage driver Lisa, after a long, hot day chasing the falcon kids on Thursday.