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Injured bald eagle delays DC rush-hour commute, will be euthanized

FILE PHOTO: An eagle was injured in Washington, D.C. delaying Metro rail service Wednesday.

Commuters in and around our nation’s capital were delayed getting home during rush hour Wednesday after the symbol of the country, a bald eagle, was injured and stuck on the Metro subway system’s tracks.

Animal control was called in to remove the bird from the tracks Wednesday afternoon in Landover, Maryland, WRC reported.

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The eagle was wrapped in blankets and put in a plastic bin to transport it to get checked out.

Thursday, though, City Wildlife, a group that rehabilitates wild animals found in Washington, D.C., said the eagle suffered multiple fractures to its wing. It will not be able to recover from the injuries. Jim Monsma, City Wildlife's director, said the majestic bird will have to be humanely euthanized, according to WRC.

Officials are not sure how the eagle was injured, but the bird did not get hit by one of the Metro trains, the Washington Post reported.

Some of the trains had to single track during the rescue, while others were rerouted, according to the Washington Post.