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 into places including the North Carolina Zoo.[1]

Challenger takes flight during the Bald Eagle Recovery and Final Delisting ceremony held at the Jefferson Memorial, June 28, 2007, as Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne (right) stands with his hand over his heart.

Life

In a storm in 1989, Challenger was blown from his nest as an eaglet and hand raised by humans. During his early years, he experienced too much human contact and imprinted on his human handlers. Two unsuccessful release attempts resulted in Challenger almost dying and 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 at Dollywood Theme Park 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, the 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. Since he is so widely recognized, Challenger is noted as a large factor in the bald eagle being taken off the Endangered Species List.

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

References
  1. 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.
  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. "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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