Minnesota Eagle Ambassador Harriet Dies at Age 35

WABASHA -- One of Minnesota's most famous eagles has died at the ripe old age of 35.

Harriet had lived at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha since 2000, a couple years after she suffered severe injuries in a collision with a vehicle that left her unable to fly and unable to return to the wild.

Harriet was a popular attraction at the center. Her regular visits to veterans hospitals landed her image on Minnesota's Support Our Troops license plate. She was easily recognizable thanks to a feather tuft on her head that was a result of her injuries from the 1998 accident. The center says her visible injuries made her a symbol of hope for wounded warriors.

The center announced Thursday that Harriet was euthanized Wednesday due to her declining health.