Giant Eagle Named Kodiak Remains Loose in Pittsburgh

A team of animal care experts are getting closer to capturing Kodiak—a Stellar’s sea eagle that escaped nearly a week ago from the National Aviary in Pittsburgh.

According to Gizmodo, the giant bird broke out of his enclosure this past Saturday and has remained on the loose ever since. A number of social media users have posted photos and videos of Kodiak sightings throughout the city; and although the eagle with a nearly six-foot wingspan is hard to miss, zoo employees and animal control have failed to capture Kodiak and bring him home.

On Friday afternoon, the National Aviary took to Facebook to confirm the eagle had been located in Pittsburgh’s North Park area, where he was reportedly “roosting at the highest point of one of the tallest trees.” Animal experts, including the zoo’s executive director Cheryl Tracy, camped out in North Park throughout Thursday night, monitoring Kodiak’s roost before determining he was still in good health. The team reportedly tried to lure Kodiak with by placing out food, but the animal never flew towards them.

“We are extremely grateful to the community for their support in sharing their sightings of Kody with us,” the National Aviary wrote Friday. “Having had this experience, we are more hopeful that Kody will come home soon, though obviously disappointed that today is so far, not the day. We believe Kody is spending time between North Park, Riverview Park, and may return to Northside areas.”

Kodiak is described as a large brown bird with a white tail and white feathers on top of his wings. Those who spot the eagle are asked to contact the National Aviary as soon as possible at 412-323-7235. The zoo also urges residents to keep their distance from Kodiak and avoid any action that may cause him to fly away.