An American bald eagle struck and injured by a car in Clearwater will be released back into the wild on Tuesday.
A car hit the eagle on October 5 while the bird was trying to eat the remains of a dead animal laying in the northbound lanes of Countryside Boulevard near Westfield Countryside Mall.
Police officers and firefighters rescue bald eagle in Clearwater
First responders aided wildlife rescuer Susan Miller in corralling the injured bird. The eagle was transported to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay where Dr. Peter Black surgically-repaired its injured right wing.
The eagle recuperated and began flying again at Busch Gardens, Nature World Wildlife and Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife.
"Tuesday will be an exciting day as we release this majestic bird, the symbol of our nation, back to the wild," said Kris Porter, Licensed Rehabilitator with Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife.
The eagle will not be released at the site where it was struck by a car due to the danger posed by overhead power lines and the high volume of traffic on Countryside Boulevard.
Instead, the bird will be released a five minute drive away at nearby Lake Chautauqua Park.
The bird is set to be released at 10:30 a.m.
Owl's Nest is hoping some of the police officers and firefighters who helped originally rescue the bird in October will be on hand to watch the eagle fly free.
