***************************************************** I finally just reached Horvath by telephone [June 18, 2007--LK] after trying several times daily for the past (nearly a) week. I was gentle and tremulous and sympathetic in my tone and words. No zingers,no accusations, no harrassment, no threats. Gentle, sympathetic. I said I had read the horrible news in today's media reports, that the babyhawk had been injured.He said it was injured, but said he was busy with animal care. I remarked in a concerned voice that the media reports from last week saidthat the hawk was healthy and uninjured and, making short flights in theflight cage and I asked how the injury happened? He said he was busy with animal care. I asked if a vet had seen him and what the vet said?He stumbled verbally and then muttered, yes, but he was busy with animalcare. I thanked him gently and warmly for his time. I used my late mother's name as my own is distinctive. I wish we could press for a vet to see the bird and report back, but, sick as it sounds, I fear if he has not yet injured the baby hawk, if we press for a vet exam, he would go right ahead and injure the baby. ***************************************************** My name is Lisa and I am a friend of Bobby Horvath. I just wanted you to know how wrong you really are about him. He does what he does for the love of the animals and no other reason. The decision to release the birds is not up to him, he is a dedicated and responsible animal rehabilitator with the best interest of all animals at heart.Your call to put pressure on him does nothing but waste your time that might be better spent doing something positive for all animals. Believe me when I tell you that keeping these birds as pets is the furthest thing from his mind. He not only is raising and rehabilitating many animals, he is actively instructing many people on wildlife protection and preservation, all voluntarily, while working as a NYC fireman. He recently used his own vacation time to handle a situation that a kid got himself into with 10 animals that nobody else would take. He didn't go on a vacation, he sat at home, managing a complete family of animals that no one in his right mind would do, and for no pay besides. So please back off and when the time comes for the release of the birds, he just might invite you to watch. Lisa ***************************************************** I am with you on this one, Ziggy should have been put back in the park and not sent to rehab...as there was no apparent reason for such a decision except ignorance. Your observations of the early, learning days are worth more than a thousand "expert" opinions. In all honesty it wasn't Bobby's doing that he was given the hawk . His unwillingness to return the hawk to Central Park is very troubling. Keep up the good work., we love you! Cordially, Diane PS I was happy to see that Donna Browne is taking up the cause of the hawk cradle. ***************************************************** I've been looking for research or reports on fledgling Red-tailed Hawks that were removed from their territory and reunited with the adults. Not much is out there. The link below is from an article on Sunday about ayoung Red-tailed Hawk that was separated from its parents for 3 days. It isn't clear from the 2 quotes below that the parents accepted the young Red-tailedHawk but maybe my reading comprehension is less than adequate for the task: Quote 1 relates that the sibling is speaking to therehabbed bird: "The two babies are talking back and forth," said Deb Sheaffer, the staff veterinarian for the Audubon Society of Portland who had dropped the bird off. Quote 2 shows that an adult was in the area butnothing about any interactions between the released hawk and the adult: As Sheaffer and Audubon volunteer Carol Mitchell prepared to leave, an adult red-tail glided low over the yard. The fledgling, safe behind the fence, was still calling. Columbian News 3 days sounds like a reasonable time based on the above. We are now on day 6 but there's *no* sibling tokeep Jr. and Charlotte in feeding/teaching mode. All the best. Ben Ben's Website ***************************************************** Just spoke to Rik Davis and he said he is looking atthe young Red-tailed Hawk sitting in a tree nearHeckscher Ballfields. This was at 3:05p. All the best. Ben ***************************************************** Okay. You can stop worrying. The little guy was set free in the park this afternoon. NYC Gov't Parks News Release Now he can fly. I’m sure the rehabilitator wanted to make sure he could fly first, so that this sort of thing wouldn’t happen again to him. Like it or not, we have hawks among us, in this urban jungle. They’re going to run into trouble, and sometimes, have to rely on humans to help them. I personally think the guy was doing his job, and probably did it well. Now the baby’s free, his cry will be recognized by his parents, they’ll be happy (although I hesitate to put human emotions onto animals….as much as I love them) their baby’s back, and all will be well in Central Park once again. Nancy Lindeberg ***************************************************** I just spoke to Bobby Horvath and he has stated that he no longer has the Baby Hawk and that we will never see it. I am very upset ... he wanted everyone to stop calling him, that he knew what was best for the bird... He is a creep...... Very NASTY Man ....... Your Friend, L ***************************************************** I looked at your website today again - and I was reading - through tears in my eyes - your beautiful, sad comment on the Baby Hawk .... with emotion of sadness and anger about this terrible injustice. Then I grabbed the phone and dialed Bobbie's number. I did this before many times, to get endlessly his "mailbox full" message. But today - June 19th 2007, 2:30 PM- surprise! surprise! He answer my phone! First he said "I can't talk now for I'm at work". When I briefly asked WHEN he'll return the baby hawk to the Park - he said "sure I will - one day in the future". When I asked WHY he is doing this -he answer: "BECAUSE WE ARE GONNA GIVE HIM TO SOMEBODY TO HAVE IT AS A PET". XXXXXXXX - I can't write more now ... I feel like I want to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX... Why we all feel so helpless about this? Is theresomething - anything - to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. You know I love your site and your amazing photography..... thank you forkeeping it for us. Helen, California ***************************************************** Dear Lincoln, Well, Horvath released their baby today to Central Park, hopefully he knew the proper place to release him so Jr. and Charlotte can connect with him NOW to avoid any further distress on their parts. I inderstand that he thinks he's an expert in bird behavior, but if he knew anything he should know that nobody understands PaleMale, Lola, PMJ and C and their children like you do. You have been specifically watching this specific family for years now and know everything about them. I'd bet that you even understand their 'language' amongst themselves. Ergo, when you 'suggest' to him what he might possibly want to do, you would think he'd listen. Some people have massive egos and let that get in the way of doing what's right. You can read all the books in the world and get all the degrees you want, but there's nothing like hands-on experience to gain true knowledge of a specific situation. And you have that true knowledge and, methinks, Bobby Horvath didn't want to acknowledge your understanding of these magnificent birds. At least he didn''t wait the two weeks he said he'd take to decide. I guess the pressure got to him. Now I just hope you can be instrumental in getting that family back together. I'll look forward to seeing pictures of them together. If any disaster befalls them, Mr. Horvath should have to be responsible for his actions! I volunteer at the Nature Conservancy in Rye, NY, and am sure we know many of the same people. Should I ever cross paths with this person I will certainly have a few things to ask him! I always look forward to checking out your new postings almost every day. Now I will be watching with anticipation of the reunion! Thanks for everything, Linc! You are a treasure. Alice W.