A rescued bald eagle has regained its freedom after being treated in southwest Missouri for head and wing injuries.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that the young bird launched out of its plastic cage Thursday at Lake Springfield, where eagles are regularly seen. After its release, the bird landed in the grass 30 yards away, giving onlookers a chance to snap photos. It then flew over the lake before settling into a distant tree.
Dickerson Park Zoo veterinarian Rodney Schnellbacher says a conservation agent at Stockton Lake rescued the eagle about three weeks ago. It was treated at the zoo’s Raptor Rehabilitation Center.
The eagle was the 13th injured bald eagle the zoo had taken in during 2016. Schnellbacher says only six of those were unable to be rehabilitated.
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