American bald eagle escapes from Cumbernauld shelter A HUGE American bald eagle is on the loose after it managed to escape from a top bird of prey centre. The eagle, named Alaska, is thought to have bitten through his leather jesses before making is flight to freedom from World of Wings in Cumbernauld. The highly distinctive bird, which has a seven foot wingspan, has been a star attraction at the centre for five years. It escaped from its shelter and circled over a group of 60 school children who were watching a buzzard display, before flying off in to woods a mile away. He was last seen on a treetop at Tannoch Stables near Palacerigg Country Park. The centre's director David Ritchie said: "Alaska was tethered in his shelter when he suddenly escaped. He somehow snapped his jesses - it's highly unusual for one to snap and unheard of for both, but he might have bitten through them. There were 60 children watching a buzzard flying display when Alaska swooped across the flying area, circled a few times then sat on a pole. He then took off and disappeared in to the distance. We chased him up to a wooded area about a mile from the centre, but lost sight of him in the trees. We haven't seen him since. Alaska was hatched in Holland in 2006 and brought to Scotland five years ago. He has never escaped before and and never had to hunt for himself. He regularly performs in flying displays, when he is fitted with a radio transmitter in case he strays. However, he was being rested and keepers have no way of knowing where he has flown. Moreover, he had just been fed up with meals of chicken, quail, rats and mice to keep him happy on his perch and he has no real need to feed for a few days. Mr Ritchie said his main fear was that the prized bird would come under attack from crows. He said: "Because he wasn't flying, Alaska was given extra food so he won't need to come down for food for a few days. When he gets hungry he may scavenge, but I don't think he'd be able to hunt for live food. My greatest fear is he'll be mobbed by crows. Because of his size, crows will see him as a predator. So we need to get him back as quickly as possible. He said that Alaska was unlikely to approach people, adding: "Despite his huge size, he's quite a nervous bird. He'll most likely find somewhere to roost and stay there. But we would ask people not to spook him. If anyone sees him, they should just get in touch with us and someone will be out immediately to bring him home. Alaska is likely to be very easy to spot. Like all American bald eagles, he is distinct by vast wingspan, his white head and tail. World of Wings puts on daily flying displays for its visitors. In 2010, a Ruppell's Griffon Vulture native to Africa, was caught up in a gust of wind and disappeared. Warnings were issued to aircraft over Scotland to be on the lookout for the giant bird, named Gandalf, which can soar at up to 36,000 feet. Anyone who sees Alaska is asked to call World of Wings on 01236 722 999.