HAMPTON, Va., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- A peregrine falcon nursed back to health after being found injured in Pennsylvania last month has been released to the wild in Virginia, a wildlife expert says.
Edward Clark, president of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, said the relatively rare raptor was released at Grandview Nature Preserve in Hampton, Va., Tuesday and it quickly got its bearings and began heading south, the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press reported.
Clark said the peregrine falcon, the world's fastest animal, may head back to Accomack County, Pa., where it was discovered last month.
"But I suspect this bird has Florida on the brain, which is not an altogether bad idea," he added.
Clark told the Daily Press the falcon was found with an eye injury, but also was underweight and missing several feathers.
"It was generally given supportive care and it healed. In the wild it does not have the luxury of getting better on its own," Clark said.
