Challenger, the Free-Flying Bald Eagle (AEF)
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Challenger is a non-releasable Bald Eagle cared for by the not-for-profit American Eagle Foundation headquartered at Dolly Parton's Dollywood family theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Named in honor of the fallen space shuttle crew, Challenger acts as an ambassador for his species¬. For over twenty years, Challenger has been making educational appearances throughout the U.S. to raise awareness about protecting eagles, natural resources, and the environment.
Challenger is the first Bald Eagle in U.S. history trained to free-fly into major sports stadiums, arenas, and ballrooms during the National Anthem! Some of his biggest appearances include several MLB World Series, Fiesta Bowls, NFL Pro-Bowls, BCS National Championships, and hundreds of other college and major league football and baseball games and corporate events across the country. Challenger has also made appearances at the White House, Pentagon, U.S. Capitol Building, Disney's Animal Kingdom grand opening, World War II groundbreaking ceremony, and numerous national TV shows including Dateline NBC, Fox and Friends, Good Morning America, the David Letterman Show, Larry King Live, and Jack Hannah's Animal Adventures.
In 1989, Challenger was blown from a wild nest as a baby during a storm and was hand-raised by the people who rescued him. Unfortunately, he experienced too much human contact at a very young age and became "human imprinted." Challenger is physically perfect, but he thinks he's a person. He cannot survive on his own in the wild.
Despite two attempts to release Challenger back into the wild, he kept landing near people to beg for food. On his third attempt to score a meal, a frightened man almost beat him with a stick, but a bystander saved him from harm. At one year of age, Challenger was placed under the care of the American Eagle Foundation by federal/state fish and wildlife agencies to be used for educational purposes.
The Bald Eagle is a protected species in the lower 48 states. The banning of DDT, strict protection laws, and the efforts of organizations like the American Eagle Foundation have all contributed to the recovery of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. They've made an amazing comeback from only a 400 nesting pairs in the early 60's to over 15,000 pairs today!
For more information about the American Eagle Foundation and how to have Challenger appear at your event, visit our website or contact us today!
Every time I watch Challenger fly, my eyes well up with tears and my heart fills with pride.
Especially when I hear the song, "This is America."
I hope we are blessed enough to have Challenger with us for many more years to come.
He's an inspiration.
Everytime I see Challenger fly it brings tears to my eyes. He is so beautiful!
Seeing one of these magnificent birds fly is really a sight to see. When I went to Kerr Lake in NC, we were by the water when a bald eagle flew past where we were. Such a magnificent and makestic bird
Gorgeous! Thank you American Eagle Foundation, for all you do in the name of wildlife. SALUTES!
CHALLENGER FOR PRESIDENT!***** LOVE THAT BIRD IT BRINGS OUT THE AMERICAN SPIRIT GOD BLESS AMERICA CHALLENGER IS A SYMBOL OF THE USA!
Angel Simone, he would do better than Hillary, and challenger can't speak English.#challenger for president
Wow, just beautiful. I get goose pimple and tears. Beautifully done video. Thank you ever so much.
This compilation video of Challenger is over the top. I have watched almost all your videos on BaldEagleInfo, so will have to subscribe to AEF channel. The last video I saw of Challenger was the Colts game on 1-4-14 - in fact, there were 2 videos of that. I was amazed that Challenger is so smart, so well-trained, that he lands on Al's hand on the very last note of the National Anthem. Challenger is magnificent, but Al Cecere is also magnificent, kind, god-loving, dedicated, ... well, the list could go on forever. Al puts hope in my heart not only for the beloved eagles, but for the US, and for me. Thank you, Al.
Wow! How in the world does one train a wild bird to fly off and return to it's handler? Incredible!
I love watching him! A wonderful video!
What a feeling that must be for Al and his crew whenever they do this! SO proud!
One scene was at the January 4 Colts game! He is magnificent!
Beautiful video and girl your singing was awesome!!
Breathtaking absolutely breathtaking they are such noble creatures
Beautiful Challenger love you
The Bald Eagle is the perfect piece of American symbology. Power, beauty, freedom, and Native American culture all wrapped up in one of the most important symbols in human history. These eagles are more than deserving of the incredible level of protection they are given by the US government. Brings a tear to my eye when I see them migrating through my area every year.
My heart! ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
GREAT STUFF
Somehow, I feel like all Bald Eagles just know that they're majestic as fuck
The symbol of freedom and the constitution and a promise that Liberty with faith in the one true God and refer to the King James Bible will be preserved and tyranny will be destroyed!
Yeah, they are ...to bad your language contradicts that notion B|
A most beautiful and magnificent bird a fitting representative of the USA He stirs my heart and brings tears to my eyes everytime I see him fly and he plays to the crowd perfectly like he is so aware of what he is doing and what he means to the people he is flying over I hope and pray he is still with us Does anyone know this?
Hi Criss, great question! Yes, Challenger is still with us. We just celebrated his 31st birthday! He has retired from flying at stadiums however due to his aging eyes and the fact most stadiums now carry several sky cams that have many cables and that makes it hard to free-fly. He will still make appearances at events so keep your ear to the ground because he may be coming to a city near you soon! Thanks for watching!
:):):) Thanks so very much!! :)
Good eagle
I think I saw him at Dollywood before
He is usually only shown at Dollywood for special events.
OMG what a Beauty
So it's over twenty years old! Too old! Haha, it has been treated so highly before it is an adult. It is really the "peak of bird life" in the eagle world!😂
very good to following this videos
Not a word or a video by MSM or GoogleTube who visited the capitol, well we can say few hours ago, no matter where you are in da world.
Beaut
Too bad the explanation at the end of the video is on too brief to read. Pausing You Tube makes it dark and unreadable with the large Pause icon over top.
Hi Demelza, here is what the graphic stated at the end of the video: "Challenger is a 25 year old (at the time) non-releasable male bald eagle cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation. This majestic bird has become a free-flying educational ambassador for his species, soaring through hundreds of stadiums, arenas, ballrooms and classrooms across the U.S. since 1991. He was blown from his nest at five weeks of age and rescued by well-meaning people who proceeded to hand raise him. As a result,he became imprinted for life."
Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
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