1 of 3 eagles missing from Dollywood sanctuary found
One of three bald eagles that escaped during last month’s storm at Dollywood has been safely returned to the park.
American Eagle Foundation reported the development as follows: social media post On Saturday, May 2.
The eagle named Caesar was captured on May 2. Authorities identified him by his orange leg band marked “SE.”
“Thanks to your calls, texts, and watchful eyes, we managed to find him. This is what a community of friends looks like!!” the organization said in the post. “Thank you all for coming to him. Now let’s bring Rockland and Wesley home.”
Bald eagles at Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain on November 3, 2025.
How did the birds disappear?
On April 19, a storm damaged the theme park’s Eagle Mountain Preserve, a 30,000-square-foot aviary.
The eagles are part of the nation’s largest group of non-releasable bald eagles. Dollywood website. Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, about 10 miles north of Gatlinburg. USA TODAY has reached out to the theme park for comment.
Dollywood’s Eagle Mountain, November 3, 2025
Following the storm, 26 eagles in the park were transported to the American Eagle Foundation’s headquarters in Kodak, Tennessee, said Lori Moore, the foundation’s CEO. Instagram post on Friday, April 24.
In announcing Caesar’s recovery, the nonprofit said recent sightings were placed in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas of Wesley and Rockland.
How to spot lost birds
Lost birds have identifiable characteristics that can aid in the search.
Wesley is a female eagle with a black leg band. It can be recognized by a chronic shoulder injury that can affect the posture of its wings at rest or in flight, the American Eagle Foundation previously said. he said on social media. Rockland can’t exactly fly and can’t fly long distances. He has an orange band on his left leg with the letters “SK” on it.
The non-profit organization emphasized that it is important to rescue the eagles as soon as possible due to injuries to the birds.
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Anyone who sees the birds is asked not to approach, feed, chase or catch them. Instead, the public can contact the American Eagle Foundation at 865-429-0157. When contacting the Foundation, people must indicate the exact location, time of sighting, and photographs or videos, if any.
“We sincerely appreciate our community’s continued support as we work to safely return Rockland and Wesley home,” the foundation said. he said. social media.
Those wishing to donate to the rescue effort can do so at: visit the foundation’s website.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: 1 of 3 eagles lost at Dollywood temple was rescued
