Eagle set free weeks after it was found tangled in fishing line

A small crowd of wildlife lovers gathered to watch the release of a two-year-old bald eagle Saturday following the bird's successful rehabilitation.

Lisa Tretiak, president of the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (PWRC), led the crowd through the process.

The eagle was rescued May 27 after being found entangled in fishing line along the banks of the Red River in the Middlechurch, Man., area.

After spending a few weeks under the care of the centre, the bird was deemed healthy enough to get back in the air.

Tretiak said the PWRC used the release ceremony as a chance to educate the public about what risks things like fishing line and hooks, as well as garbage, present for wildlife.

"We just really want to encourage people to really clean up after themselves and to show that we've helped this animal go back into the wild," Tretiak said. "It's really important to not release things into the environment unless [they] can break down fairly quickly."

The eagle was reluctant to leave the confines of its cage at first but after some gentle coaxing from staff it spread its wings and took off.

"It can see a lot of the audience here so it can be a little intimidating," Tretiak said. "It does take them a while to adjust to knowing there are a bunch of eyes staring at them before they will leave the safety of the enclosure.

"He's quite excited to get back out there as you could see with his liftoff."

Tretiak expects the bird will get back in flying shape in no time.