Albatross released off Calif. coast

SAN PEDRO, Calif., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Animal rescuers said a Laysan albatross believed to have stowed away to California on a cargo ship has been released at sea.

International Bird Rescue said the Laysan albatross is native to islands in the North Pacific Ocean and was brought to them by a man who discovered it in the bed of his pickup truck Friday in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

The albatross was held for four days at the rescue group's San Pedro wildlife center and released Tuesday from a boat off the coast of the city.

Rescuers said the albatross likely hitched a ride to California aboard a cargo ship. Julie Skoglund, manager of the wildlife center, said the bird was the first albatross discovered in Southern California in at least five years.