The Los Angeles Times reports the Laysan Albatross that normally nests on remote islands was released Tuesday from a boat off San Pedro.
Rescuers suspect the bird stowed away on a cargo ship to hitch a trans-Pacific ride to Los Angeles, where it was spotted hitching a ride in a truck on Friday.
The wildlife rescue center in San Pedro has taken in a handful of the massive birds, which look like overgrown seagulls, over the past decade.
With its 7-foot wingspan, an albatross can soar long distances and spend years roaming the ocean without touching land.
