Challenger (eagle)

Challenger is a non-releasable bald eagle in the care of the non-profit American Eagle Foundation. He is the first bald eagle in history trained to free fly over stadium events, including the World Series and United States presidential inaugurations.[1]

Bald eagle flies over a football field
Challenger the bald eagle soars over onlookers at a Miami Dolphins game

Life

At some point, during a storm in 1989, Challenger was blown from his nest as an eaglet. He was found and fed by well-meaning humans who placed him with a rehabilitation program. During his early years, he experienced too much human contact and imprinted on his human handlers. Two unsuccessful release attempts (including one that almost cost him his life) resulted in Challenger being deemed non-releasable, and he was eventually being handed over to the Federal authorities. Authorities have since given Challenger to the American Eagle Foundation for care and educational programs. He lives with other birds of prey in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Challenger is named in honor of the space shuttle crew, who were killed when it disintegrated shortly after launch.

In 2019, on Challenger's 30th birthday, American Eagle Foundation announced that the eagle would be retired from free flights and make only gloved appearances.[2]

Awareness

Challenger has been an ambassador for his species since 1993. He has raised a great level of public awareness for the habitat destruction of the bald eagle. When the bald eagle was taken off the Endangered Species List, Challenger represented his species during the delisting ceremony at the White House. [3]

Performances

Sports events
  • MLB World Series – 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
  • NFL Pro Bowl – 2002, 2003, 2004; NFC Championship Game - 2018
  • Fiesta Bowl – 1999, 2013
  • Men's Final Four – 2005
  • NCAA College Football National Championship – 2011, 2017
  • Daytona 500 – 2015
  • Army-Tulane Football Game – 2015
  • Arizona Cardinals–San Francisco 49ers Football Game – 2016
  • Cotton Bowl Classic Bowl - 2017

Teams

Individual events

See also

References
  1. "Meet Challenger, a bald eagle whose soaring skills are in high demand" buckscountycouriertimes.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  2. "Challenger the Eagle retiring from free-flight performances after 25 years of helping bald eagles". WBIR TV 10. NBC News. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  3. "Bald Eagle Soars Off Endangered List" cnn.com. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  4. Moore, Roger (November 3, 2007). "How much can one football fanbase take?". Stillwater-newspress.com. Stillwater News Press. Archived from the original on 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
  5. "Defense Department Helps Eagle Soar Off Endangered List". Defenselink.mil. United States of America. June 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-14.
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