Ask Onix
Three bald eagles escape Dollywood sanctuary after storm damage
Rockland, Wesley, and Caesar fled two weeks ago when a fallen tree breached their enclosure at the Tennessee theme park co-owned by Dolly Parton. While Caesar was recaptured last weekend, Rockland and Wesley remain missing, prompting a widespread search across the Smoky Mountains.
Limited flight ability raises concerns for missing eagles
The trio, housed at the American Eagle Foundation's (AEF) sanctuary within Dollywood, have impaired flying skills. Wesley suffers from a chronic shoulder injury, and Rockland has a displaced wing. Their comfort around humans further reduces their chances of surviving in the wild, according to foundation officials.
"He's out misbehaving, trying to get food he shouldn't be having," said Lori Moore, CEO of the AEF, describing Rockland's behavior. "Any viable lead sends our adrenaline flowing-we know we might get our bird back."
Community rallies to report sightings across multiple states
Tips have poured in from Indiana, Virginia, and Georgia, though the most actionable reports have come from within the Smoky Mountains. The eagles' distinctive leg bands-orange for Caesar and Rockland, black for Wesley-help identify them. AEF teams, including a specialist dubbed the "bird whisperer," have responded to sightings, but the birds' ability to fly short distances has thwarted capture attempts.
(Sunday) saw a particularly intense chase for Rockland, with teams scrambling to a hotel and later a parked car, only to watch him take off each time. "The advantage those little stinkers have is they can fly away," one observer noted wryly.
Dolly Parton's decades-long commitment to eagle conservation
The sanctuary, established 35 years ago through a partnership between Dollywood and the AEF, is the largest facility for non-releasable bald eagles in the world. Parton's advocacy dates back to 2003, when she was honored by the federal government for her conservation work. The singer has long emphasized the eagle's symbolic importance to American heritage.
"The eagle is not a Republican or Democrat," said James Rogers, AEF chairman and longtime collaborator of Parton. "It's something that unites us."
The sanctuary has released 185 eagles into the wild since its founding, a critical effort during the species' endangered years. Bald eagles were removed from the endangered list in 2007, thanks to bans on DDT and habitat restoration.
Public engagement highlights broader conservation success
While the search for Rockland and Wesley continues, foundation leaders see a silver lining in the public's response. Sightings-even false alarms-have sparked excitement and awareness, with some callers reporting their first-ever eagle sightings.
"A guy's voice cracked as he told me, 'I've never seen an eagle before,'" Moore recounted. "It's heartwarming to see people united by concern for our national symbol."
Michael Patrick Ward, a wildlife biology professor, called the bald eagle's recovery "a success story we don't highlight enough," crediting environmental protections like the Clean Water Act for the species' rebound.
What's next for the missing eagles
The AEF urges the public to report sightings of the banded eagles, particularly in the Smoky Mountains region. Teams remain on standby to respond to credible leads, hoping to safely return Rockland and Wesley to the sanctuary, where they are cared for as part of Dollywood's educational programs.
