MISSING: A bald eagle similar to the one that went missing.
Alaska is thought to have bitten through his leather jesses, or tethers, before making his flight to freedom from World of Wings in Cumbernauld.
The highly distinctive bird, which has a 7ft wingspan, has been a star attraction at the centre for five years.
He escaped from his shelter and circled a group of 60 schoolchildren who were watching a buzzard display, before flying off into 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."
Alaska was hatched in Holland in 2006 and brought to Scotland five years ago. He has never escaped before and never had to hunt for himself.
He regularly performs in spectacular 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 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 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 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."
Anyone who sees Alaska is asked to call World of Wings on 01236 722 999.
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