Dollywood’s Bald Eagles Missing After Severe Storms
Dollywood, the theme park dedicated to iconic country star Dolly Parton, is currently on high alert after three bald eagles went missing from the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary. The birds—Rockland, Caesar, and Wesley—have not been seen since storms battered the Tennessee area. The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) is actively searching for the injured birds, who were reportedly displaced when a tree toppled over and compromised the aviary.
Lori Moore, CEO of the AEF, shared an update via social media, stating that three eagles were found outside the aviary and took flight, while another eagle was located and received medical attention. “We have teams on the ground actively tracking them, but we also still need your help,” Moore said. “Keep your eyes on the skies.”
The foundation emphasized the importance of these birds, especially those that are non-releasable due to their injuries. “They count on us to help take care of them, so we want to continue to do so,” she added.
Identifying the Missing Eagles
The AEF has provided details to help the public identify the missing birds. Each eagle is marked with an identification band, which can be either orange or black.
Wesley, a female bald eagle, has a black leg band and is recognized by a chronic shoulder injury, which causes her wings to sit unevenly. Due to her limited flight ability, it is very likely that Wesley is still in the immediate vicinity of Dollywood.
Caesar has an orange identification band on his leg marked with ‘SE.’ He suffered a traumatic wing injury caused by fishing line, resulting in a partial amputation.
Rockland has a healed fracture in his right wing, and his right ulna is shorter than his left, leaving a wing displaced. Rockland is not fully flighted and cannot travel long distances like an uninjured bald eagle. He also wears an orange identification band on his left leg with the letters SK on it.
Public Appeal for Help
The foundation is urging anyone who spots the birds to keep their distance and contact the AEF directly through their Facebook page. The organization is working closely with local authorities and volunteers to locate the eagles as quickly as possible.
Tennessee is among twelve states facing turbulent weather, with more than 30 tornadoes and over 230 reports of hail hitting the central US in the past week, according to AccuWeather. Power outages were reported on April 16 in Middle Tennessee, as law enforcement responded to several downed trees, utility lines, and debris in roadways.
West Tennessee was placed under a tornado watch on Tuesday, with damaging winds threatening the state. More strong storms are expected to move through Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky through Monday evening into Tuesday morning.
About Dollywood
Dollywood, jointly owned by Herschend and country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, is located in the Knoxville metropolitan area in Tennessee. The park is known for its family-friendly attractions and commitment to wildlife conservation, including the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary.
54K views · 1K reactions | Thank you from all of us at the American…
Thank you from all of us at the American Eagle Foundation.
Facebook
