A rehabilitated juvenile bald eagle flew free near Mansfield

A juvenile bald eagle left a crate at Clear Fork Conservation Area on Saturday morning and flew. KnoxPages reported on October 11, 2026, that the bird had arrived at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary in July with a spinal fracture after being hit by a car. She needed rest for the spine to heal, then physical therapy to rebuild strength. Staff think she is under two years old, judging by her plumage. The release site is next to the sanctuary, near Mansfield.

A sanctuary employee who helps with about 200 releases a year said this one still raised goosebumps. The flight is one bird back outside, not a count of how the local eagle population is doing.