Air Force mascot injured in West Point prank

Published Nov. 3, 2018 11:06 p.m. ET

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) — One of Air Force's falcon mascots was injured during a prank prior to the annual rivalry football game against Army, according to an official at the Air Force Academy.

The mascot, Aurora, a 22-year-old falcon, suffered an undisclosed injury and was being brought on the flight back to Colorado to see a specialist at the Air Force Academy, according to Troy Garnhart, associate athletic director for strategic communications at the school.

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette , West Point cadets took Aurora from an Army colonel's house as part of a prank during the week leading up to Saturday's game at Michie Stadium. The newspaper characterized the injury as "potentially life-threatening."

Officials at West Point did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.