VIDEO: Bald eagle briefly soars to freedom at Dodger Stadium on Fourth of July

LOS ANGELES -- A bald eagle soared to freedom at Dodger Stadium on the Fourth of July.

The male eagle was supposed to fly from the top of the stadium down to its handler Monday as part of the pregame festivities for Independence Day.

Instead, the liberty-loving bird flew right on past its handler on the outfield grass and continued over the center field fence.

It disappeared from view, prompting rumbles of laughter and concern from baseball fans.

The eagle was one of a pair from the Los Angeles Zoo, which has sent eagles to Chavez Ravine for pregame flights in the past.

A few innings into the Dodgers' game against the Baltimore Orioles, the team announced the eagle had been located and was headed back to the zoo with its handler.

The Los Angeles Zoo released the following statement: "We are happy to report that both of the bald eagles from the L.A. Zoo are doing just fine and have returned to the Zoo. The male eagle, Chinook, flew past his mark and landed safely just beyond the center field gate, near the L.A. Zoo van, where he waited for his handler. The L.A. Zoo had plenty of staff members on hand in the event either of the birds missed the mark on their landing."