Fly Like An Eagle: Bird Of Prey Injured By Fishing Hook Released

PASCO COUNTY, FL — It's one of those moments that make all the long hours and hard work worthwhile.

Former Busch Gardens zookeeper Kris Curcio-Porter, founder and director of the Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife in Odessa, couldn't help but grin Friday as a rehabilitated American bald eagle tentatively hopped out of its travel carrier, glanced around at the field near Pasco Fire Station 21 in Hudson where wildlife rescuers took him to be released, and promptly flew away.

See related story: Kids Help Save Bald Eagle Injured By Fishing Hook

Last week, the eagle wasn't able to fly anywhere when two Pasco County children discovered it with a fishing hook through its beak. The bald eagle has fishing line wound tightly around its beak, preventing it from eating or drinking. Fishing line was also wrapped around one wing, preventing the eagle from flying.

The children brought the eagle to Pasco County Fire Station 21 in Hudson where firefighters contacted the Owl's Nest Sanctuary for help.

After Curcio-Porter removed the fishing line and hook, she brought the eagle to her former employer, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens veterinarian Dr. Peter Black treated the eagle and declared the bird ready to be released back into the wild this week.

"He was definitely ready to head back to his mate when the door was opened," said professional photographer Douglas DeFelice, who was on hand for the bird of prey's release.

DeFelice is the owner of Prime 360 Photography and serves as the director of photography at the Owl's Nest Sanctuary where he's been volunteering his photography skills to the nonprofit wildlife sanctuary for five years.

His camera caught the moment when the bald eagle tested out its wings and then too flight.

See more of DeFelice's photographs on his website and Facebook page.