The bald eagle when it was stuck on the tracks.

Courtesy of WMATA / Twitter

The injured bald eagle that snarled Metro traffic when it got stuck on the Blue/Silver Line tracks on Wednesday evening had to be euthanized, officials announced on Thursday.

“After a thorough examination, review of the x-rays, and consultations with other wildlife veterinarians, the opinion of the experts is unanimous and sad: the multiple fractures in the bird’s wing cannot be repaired and humane euthanasia is the only responsible option,” tweeted City Wildlife, D.C.’s animal rehabilitation center.

Jim Monsma, the executive director for City Wildlife, tells DCist that the bird had shattered its right wing beyond repair. Veterinarians at the center couldn’t determine with certainty the bird’s age or gender, but they think it was likely a female, about five years old. This was likely its first breeding season as a fully mature adult, Monsma says. (Despite rumors, the bird was not neither Liberty nor Justice, the celebrity bald eagle pair who’ve had quite a dramatic mating season already).

The eagle’s remains will be sent to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado, says Monsma, a facility that sends deceased bald eagles and their parts (namely their feathers) to Native American and Alaskan tribes for use in religious and cultural ceremonies. Except for enrolled Native Americans, it is illegal for anyone to possess a bald eagle or any of its parts, including feathers. Native Americans can apply to receive a bald or golden eagle through the service.

Monsma says all D.C. eagles found dead or euthanized are sent to the Colorado repository.

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