In a curious incident of theft at SoFi Stadium, one of two trained Harris hawks, Bubba, has been found, and one remains missing. The birds were reported stolen on Sept. 28 during a Rams game against the Indianapolis Colts. Both hawks were caged upon a Kawasaki utility task vehicle, which was hijacked near the stadium's lake area.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Bubba the hawk was discovered in Hacienda Heights, roughly 30 miles from where the theft occurred, after a homeowner spotted the bird in her backyard and alerted the authorities. The falconer, Charles Cogger, thanks to the help offered, was able to recover his lost feathered asset. In a heartbreaking turn for the falconer, when first contacted by police, Cogger was informed incorrectly that two birds found dead were the missing hawks, but they turned out to be quails used for feeding his birds.
The police have released a suspect description and are requesting the public's assistance in locating the remaining hawk, Alice. The suspect is described as a Black adult male, last seen wearing a black shirt and jacket with a white stripe down the shoulder, black pants, and black shoes. Despite the missing bird, Cogger retains his hope. "Alice is still out there, but this gives me hope she will show up," he told KTLA.
In a report by CBS News Los Angeles, Bubba, the recovered hawk, is eight years old and was spotted in a condition that implies relatively little distress. Although Alice, the falconer stressed, has been a member of his avian family for 20 years and was hooded at the theft's time. If anyone has information regarding the remaining hawk or the suspect, they are encouraged to contact the Inglewood Police Department detectives at (310) 412-5206. A reward of $1,000 has been put up by Crime Stoppers in the hopes of finding Alice and apprehending the suspect.
Authorities emphasize that Harris hawks like Bubba and Alice are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. While these hawks are not on the threatened or endangered list, they hold considerable value due to their training and role in professional falconry, used to deter other birds during events at venues like SoFi Stadium. As the search for the second missing hawk continues, the falconry community in Southern California remains on alert.
