Three bald eagles from the Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood have gone missing following severe storms that struck the Tennessee area. The missing birds, named Rockland, Caesar, and Wesley, escaped after a tree fell and compromised their aviary. The theme park, owned by country music legend Dolly Parton, is urging the public to help locate the injured eagles.
Escape After Storm Damage
The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) confirmed that the eagles fled the aviary when a tree toppled over, damaging the enclosure. In a social media video, AEF CEO Lori Moore stated that three eagles were found outside and took flight, while a fourth 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."
Moore expressed concern for the birds, noting they are non-releasable and depend on the foundation for care. "We are endeared to these birds and especially these birds that we know are non-releasable. They count on us to help take care of them, so we want to continue to do so," she told WBIR.
Identifying the Missing Eagles
The foundation provided details to help identify the eagles. Wesley, a female, has a black leg band and a chronic shoulder injury that causes her wings to sit unevenly. Due to her limited flight ability, she is likely still near Dollywood. Caesar has an orange leg band marked with "SE" and suffered a traumatic wing injury from fishing line, resulting in a partial amputation. Rockland has a healed fracture in his right wing and a shorter right ulna, leaving a wing displaced. He also wears an orange band on his left leg with the letters "SK." The foundation urged anyone who spots the birds to keep their distance and contact the AEF via their Facebook page.
Severe Weather in Tennessee
Tennessee is among twelve states threatened by turbulent weather, with over 30 tornadoes and more than 230 reports of hail battering the central US in the past week, according to AccuWeather. Power outages were reported on April 16 in Middle Tennessee, with law enforcement responding to downed trees, utility lines, and debris. West Tennessee was under a tornado watch, and damaging winds continued to threaten the state. More strong storms are expected through Monday evening into Tuesday morning. Dollywood, jointly owned by Herschend and Dolly Parton, is located in the Knoxville metropolitan area.
