Eagle Escapes Dollywood, Sparks Wide Search

Two weeks ago, a storm damaged the enclosure at Dollywood's eagle sanctuary in Tennessee, allowing three bald eagles to escape. While one eagle, Caesar, has been safely recovered, Rockland and Wesley remain at large. Both have limited flight abilities and are too accustomed to human interaction to survive in the wild.

The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) is leading the search, with tips coming in from multiple states, though the most helpful have been from the local Smoky Mountains area. The eagles are identifiable by their leg bands – orange for Rockland and Caesar, and black for Wesley. Concerns are high for their safety, as they may encounter dangers they are unprepared for.

Dollywood has partnered with the AEF for 35 years, housing the world's largest sanctuary for non-releasable bald eagles. This sanctuary has successfully released 185 eagles into the wild over the years. The current situation highlights the importance of conservation efforts that have helped bald eagles recover from endangered status, a success story that began decades ago with initiatives like the Clean Water Act and pesticide reduction.