Help name our new Harris hawk!

A 4-month-old Harris hawk at Zoo Atlanta needs a name, and children ages 13 and under have an opportunity to help through storytelling. The Name the Harris Hawk Contest encourages kids to write their own original stories, featuring a member of the species as the main character, for a chance to win four general admissions and an exclusive encounter with an ambassador bird at Zoo Atlanta.

To enter, children or their parents and guardians should email their stories to harrishawk@zooatlanta.org. Illustrations are encouraged but are not required. The winning story will be chosen by the Zoo’s Ambassador Animals Team, and the name of the winning story’s Harris hawk character will become the name of the bird, which is not yet visible to guests. Members and guests may have a chance to see the newly-named hawk up-close later this year in animal presentations at the World of Wild Theater.

The Name the Harris Hawk Contest opens Thursday, February 3, 2022, and story submissions will be accepted through Monday, February 21, 2022. The winning story and name will be announced on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

Native to the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico, Harris hawks are known as the “wolves of the sky” for their habit of hunting in groups. While the species is not currently threatened in the wild, the hawks face habitat destruction, habitat disruption, and threats from power lines.

Visit zooatlanta.org/harrishawk for full contest details and more information about Harris hawks.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Rachel Davis, Director of Communications
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell
rdavis@zooatlanta.org

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the new African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the newly restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the new Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.