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August 8, 2008

Peregrine falcon to be released into the wild from Rock City

Submitted by Rock City



LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA. — At sunrise on Tuesday, Aug. 12, a Peregrine falcon is scheduled for release into the wild at Rock City Gardens on Lookout Mountain. Affectionately named “Rocky,” the six-week-old bird from Minnesota has been relocated as part of a Peregrine Falcon Hacking program to repopulate this region.

Rocky was placed in a hack box at Rock City on Tuesday, July 22, in preparation for his first flight, in hopes the bird returns to his nest in about two years. The falcon has been monitored by John and Dale Stokes of Save Our American Raptors, Inc. (S.O.A.R.), who host the Birds of Prey Raptor Shows weekly at Rock City Gardens. This hacking technique has been used to restore many populations of raptors including bald eagles.

“The goal of the Peregrine release is to bring back native species to this area,” said Dale Stokes from S.O.A.R. “We hope that Rocky, or perhaps Garnet, a male released two years ago at Rock City, will return to continue the Peregrine breeding in this area.” This is the third hacking effort on Lookout Mountain since 1993.

The birds of prey are studied to see how many return to their nesting sites, whether or not they nest successfully and the number of young produced.

When released Tuesday, the bird can be tracked by an attached transmitter. This project has been approved by state and federal gencies, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Department of National Resources.

Rock City offers Birds of Prey shows every Thursday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and a special 4:30 p.m. show on Saturdays through Labor Day. For more info and video on the birds of prey shows or Rocky’s journey, go to www.seerockcity.com/birds/rocky.htm.



Rock City Gardens is one of the South’s oldest and most popular natural attractions. Only minutes from downtown Chattanooga, Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, a 100-foot waterfall that cascades down Lookout Mountain, and a Swing-A-Long bridge that spans nearly 200 feet.

A continual beautification program has preserved Rock City Gardens as a showcase of more than 400 different wildflowers and plants native in the mountain area. It is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the summer. Other features include a Starbucks in the original Cornerstone Station, Legacy Lane, the Big Rock Grill, assorted gift shops and Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. For more information, visit www.seerockcity.com or call 800-854-0675.

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