Albatross found in LA freed to fly home to Hawaii

[February 01, 2012]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A large seabird found in the back of a pickup truck in Los Angeles has been released to begin its long flight home across the Pacific.

The Los Angeles Times reports (http://lat.ms/yVM1yL ) the Laysan Albatross that normally nests on remote islands was released Tuesday from a boat off San Pedro.

Rescuers suspect the bird stowed away on a cargo ship to hitch a trans-Pacific ride to Los Angeles, where it was spotted hitching a ride in a truck on Friday.

The wildlife rescue center in San Pedro has taken in a handful of the massive birds, which look like overgrown seagulls, over the past decade.

With its 7-foot wingspan, an albatross can soar long distances and spend years roaming the ocean without touching land.

[Associated Press]

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