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American Eagles at Dollywood
 by Raquel Amberson
http://www.roweagle.com

Back in the days of the early pioneers, the great American
eagle, or also known as the bald eagle, was bitterly called
a "varmint" since it kept attacking precious domestic
animals and fish, which the settlers needed as their own
supply of food. This national symbol of the U.S. had to
earn its welcome before the citizens of America could
embrace its free and proud spirit. Today, eagles are no
longer called "varmint", also thought of as a raptor, unlike
its close cousins the hawk and the owl.

The misperception about the American eagle ironically was
greatly improved thanks in part to the pesticide DDT. When
this killer pesticide was introduced into the environment
after World War II, many food chains were affected,
including the chain that ended with raptors. As the animals
along the lower part of the chain ingested DDT, raptors also
were infected once they ate those tainted animals. As
result of the DDT in the eagle's system, the wondrous birds
laid eggs with dangerously thin shells. These poorly formed
eggs rarely made it through safely and soon our national
eagle was placed on the endangered species list.

A large number of conservation groups actively work hard to
restore balance into nature and improve endangered species'
existence. One group - The American Eagle Foundation - is
focused on building a larger population of American eagles.
This foundation is a non-profit organization sponsored by
Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The
headquarters for American Eagle Foundation is in Dollywood.
Founded in 1985, this organization is out to restore the
eagle population by protecting wild eagles. Together,
Dollywood and American Eagle Foundation take care of over 60
eagles that were once injured and cannot survive on their
own in their normal habitat. Many of these captured birds
are very active and successful in a breeding program that
has enabled hundreds of eaglets (young eagles) to be
released back into the wild.

Every year, millions of people are introduced to our
national symbol at Dollywood's "Eagle Mountain Sanctuary".
Visitors are able to experience firsthand the beauty of
these birds at viewing sites and during demonstrations
called "Wings of America". Trained eagle handlers give
daily demonstrations featuring eagles, along with owls,
vultures and falcons. Through this sanctuary and other
programs sponsored by Dollywood and the Foundation, the
public is gaining valuable insight into the need to respect
and preserve this great national bird.

Dolly Parton, the founder of Dollywood, herself acts as a
spokesperson for the Foundation and its goal of preserving
eagles. She has traveled across the country on behalf of
the foundation. She has been awarded a "Partnership
Award" by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in recognition
of her efforts on behalf of bald eagle preservation and
also support for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The American Eagle Foundation has a trained eagle named
Challenger who is allowed to fly free and returns to his
handler. Challenger has traveled the country and appeared
at the White House, the State Department and other federal
agencies. He has also flown free at a number of sporting
events such as the World Series. It's time for Americans to
be proud of their national symbol once again.

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