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A rare Richmond-area raven that was rescued from a parking lot and then got feather transplants flew back into the wild Wednesday at Bryan Park.

Amber Dedrick of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, a Waynesboro animal hospital, opened a pet carrier, and the inky black bird shot out and into a tall oak near the park’s nature center in Richmond’s North Side. Children ran after it.

“I thought that was awesome,” said Martin Kroll, 11, of Henrico County. “I don’t get to see a bird that big up close every day.”

A crowd of about 100 gushed with oohs and aahs when the raven took flight, and about 150 more followed the release on a moderated discussion on the wildlife center’s website.

Ravens are similar to crows but bigger. This one has a wingspan of about 3 feet. In Virginia, ravens are typically found in the mountains.

Maureen Bergin, an employee of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield at 2015 Staples Mill Road, found the female raven in the company’s parking lot, just outside the city line, this spring. The raven had lost several feathers and was unable to fly. Its mate was bringing it food.