A young bald eagle found with a broken wing on the side of Easter Ferry Road in November is still several weeks away from being released into the wild, an official said.

Doug Adair, executive director of the Alabama Wildlife Center in Pelham, said the eagle’s recovery is progressing, but its release has been delayed. Adair said the raptor suffered more muscle atrophy in its wing than originally anticipated because the wing was wrapped and immobile.

He said the eagle has also been moved to the Southeastern Raptor Center at Auburn University for further rehabilitation.

“He’s now in a large flight enclosure and doing well, gaining strength and undergoing weekly evaluations,” Adair said. “With the muscle atrophy, he’s just got to build his strength up again to fly, and landings will need a little work because it’s been a while since he’s flown.”

Once it’s determined the eagle is healthy enough to return to the wild, it will be released back into Limestone County. Adair said he hated to pinpoint an exact date, but said it would likely be at least four more weeks.

The injured eagle was found near a deer carcass by Limestone County couple Moses McGuire and his wife Teresa Anne Garrard-McGuire. Adair previously told The News Courier the raptor’s injuries were consistent with being caused by a vehicle collision. He described the raptor as being between 5 and 7 years old and weighing 3,800 grams, making him a healthy young male.

“A bald eagle is a rare enough patient that everyone takes notice,” he said. “There’s something about a bald eagle; if you’re holding one and you’re up close and personal, they’re such a majestic animal.”