Golden eagle injured near Rapid City ready to be a free bird

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - A golden eagle struck by two vehicles near Rapid City more than a month ago has survived and likely soon will be a free bird.

The nearly 8-pound bird was struck on state Highway 79 on March 3. It was treated at the All Creatures Animal Hospital and Oahe Wildlife Center in Pierre.

Veterinarian Virginia Trexler-Myren tells the Rapid City Journal (https://bit.ly/1DNM4gd ) that the eagle had bruised lungs, which can easily kill a bird. She says she’s very pleased with how the eagle has recovered.

The eagle has been in a flight pen for more than a week. Trexler-Myren says it’s probably well enough to be released back into the wild, but she’s waiting for a spell of warm weather.

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Information from: Rapid City Journal, https://www.rapidcityjournal.com