This Beloved Theme Park Is Also a Leading Force in Raptor Conservation

It’s no secret that the 130-acre Dolly Parton-founded Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, TN, is a big draw to the region. But perhaps much lesser known is that tucked inside the theme park — among roller coasters, thrill rides and live shows — is one of the most influential raptor conservation organizations in the country.

The American Eagle Foundation (AEF) has been quietly making waves in conservation, education, and rehabilitation for nearly four decades, and it all started humbly. “The foundation started in 1985 at a kitchen table,” says Crystal Slusher, in-house eagle specialist at AEF. “A gentleman by the name of Al Cecere saw a picture in the Associated Press that showed a dozen bald eagles that had been poached for the black market. It inspired him to want to do more.”

Al teamed up with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Officer (and bird expert) John Stokes, and the American Eagle Foundation was officially born. Their mission? To protect bald eagles and birds of prey through rescue, rehabilitation, education, and outreach. 

The American Eagle Foundation

The American Eagle Foundation has been part of Dollywood since 1991, thanks in large part to performer James Rogers, who championed their inclusion in the park’s programming. Known for his patriotic music (including songs about AEF’s beloved eagle, Challenger), James now serves as the foundation’s board president. Vice-President John Stokes and Founder Al Cecere remain closely connected as well, ensuring the mission stays true to its roots.

“Most of our bald eagles come from the wild,” explains Crystal. “They’ve been injured and aren’t able to survive out there any longer. They’re deemed non-releasable due to permanent physical disabilities or human imprinting.”

Fortunately, these birds find a permanent home at Eagle Mountain Sanctuary inside Dollywood, where AEF operates the world’s largest population of non-releasable bald eagles. “People come there thinking, ‘Oh, we’re going to ride rides and see shows,'” Crystal says. “They don’t come expecting to see a conservation area inside a theme park. It’s really a neat thing to witness.”

Cams, Classrooms, and Conservation

In 2011, AEF’s eagle cams went even more public, offering viewers a real-time look at eagle life — from nest building to awkward teenage eaglet phases. The first stars of the show were a pair of disabled bald eagles from Alaska, both shot in the wing. They bonded and built a life together at the sanctuary.

“We would build man-made nests and give them materials to fortify them, hoping they would breed and have offspring,” says Crystal. “That program was extremely successful. We released about 182 bald eagles into the wild here in Tennessee to help rebuild the population.”

AEF also operates wild nest cams, including one in Northeast Florida. “Around the end of September, they start to rebuild their nest,” explains Crystal. “They bring in fresh branches and moss and build it up. This helps the pair rekindle the bond they had prior to the last season. Then, they start to do the mating thing. Frequent meeting helps ensure that the eggs are fertilized. She’ll lay the eggs, and both male and female will incubate them, which is a lot of hours. The female does most of the incubation, but the male helps as well. About 30 to 35 days out, the eggs start to hatch.”

Once they do, Crystal says the little eaglets are essentially helpless. “It’s incredible to watch a massive bald eagle be so gentle and tender with a brand-new baby,” she says of the parental involvement. “I think the unscripted life cycle of a bald eagle really resonates with a lot of people, because they live as a family unit for a period of time. Both parents contribute to the nest, incubation, and raising the young.”

A Bonus Bird and a Heartbreaking Rescue

Occasionally, televised eagle life throws in a plot twist. “We had a really unprecedented thing happen at our Northeast Florida nest this season,” Crystal says. “A young eaglet showed up while another eaglet was still in the nest — and stuck around.”

The mystery guest, whom she has fondly dubbed “the bonus bird,” may have fledged too early and found himself in need of a family and food. Lucky for him, the nest parents were feeling generous.

“We’ve seen other eagles come in, but they never stuck around quite like this one did,” Crystal says. “He would hang out with and sleep next to the younger one. They tolerated each other. It was quite fascinating.” 

Other situations have been more challenging. Crystal recalls a recent rescue in Dale Hollow, Tennessee, where two eaglets became tangled in fishing line.

“One eaglet had to come down because the line had cut into the tendons of its leg,” she explains. “We did end up losing that bird due to the nature and severity of the injuries. That one stands out for me.”

An Uphill Battle

Bald eagle populations have made a tremendous comeback, but they’re not out of the woods just yet. “There’s still a lot of habitat destruction, especially on waterfront properties,” Crystal tells us. “And that is critical habitat for bald eagles. It is their natural nesting site.” 

Secondary poisoning is also a major concern. Rodenticides and lead ammunition are persistent dangers, as is discarded fishing line. “We’re huge supporters of hunting and fishing,” she adds. “Those people probably pay more into conservation than the average person. But we always advocate for responsible hunting and fishing.”

Lead in gut piles poses a special threat to scavengers. “It bioaccumulates in the bird,” she shares. “They can’t naturally pass lead, so they end up in a bad situation where they can’t fly, have tremors and seizures, and can’t find food.”

Educational Outreach

AEF goes beyond bird care; they’re also raising the next generation of conservationists through field trips, virtual lessons, and hands-on science programs.

“Nothing can do the job of inspiring someone as much as seeing a bird of prey up close and in person,” says Crystal. “Our educational outreach includes the Wings of America show at Dollywood, and there is a lot of education through that program. We also have in-person and virtual bird of prey programs, guided tours, field trips, and community events. Our new facility actually contains three adaptable classrooms for visiting schools and organizations.” Additionally, they align their curriculum with Next Generation Science Standards.

The birds are also stars on social media. “Many of our birds have their own Instagram accounts,” Crystal laughs. “They’re a delight to the community!”

Fan favorites? Poe the Raven, who can recycle, paint, and play basketball. “He’s not a bird of prey, but he is super smart,” says Crystal. “It’s always intriguing when a bird can solve puzzle feeders that are designed for other animals. He knows how to use tools to do what he needs to do. He’s fascinating.”

And don’t mess with him. “Ravens remember faces,” she tells us. “You want to stay on their good side. They hold a grudge!”

Busting Bald Eagle Myths

You may have heard several myths about bald eagles, including that they are America’s largest bird (they’re not) or that they are actually bald (they’re not). But the most persistent myth Crystal hears is a rather bizarre tale of “mountain renewal.” 

“There’s an old fable that goes around every so often,” she explains, “that at the age of 40, bald eagles go up on top of a mountain, shed their feathers, slam their beaks against rocks to knock them off, and pluck out their talons. At that point, they have a decision to make whether they want to live another 30 years or succumb to hypothermia and starvation because they have no way of doing things. Bald eagles don’t do that.”

What they do show is surprising sweetness. “Tune in around October,” Crystal recommends. “You get to watch the parents bond. They’ll sit close together, and it feels extremely human, even though it’s not.”

Plan Your Visit + Get Involved

Want to see the eagles up close? You’re in luck. “The public can come and visit us. We do three tours a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,” Crystal says. “Very soon, we’ll be opening our doors to let people browse the land.” The property spans 47 acres of wildflowers, grasslands, and yes, wild eagles. 

For even more education and eagle inspiration:

• Tune into the live eagle cams at eagles.org
• Follow ambassadors like Poe the Raven and Challenger the Eagle on Instagram
• Visit Eagle Mountain Sanctuary inside Dollywood
• Support AEF through donations or by adopting an eagle

Whether you’re in it for the science, the heartwarming moments, or simply the joy of watching a giant bird feed a tiny fluffball, the American Eagle Foundation gives you a front-row seat to a national treasure … and (if you’ll forgive the pun) a chance to help keep it soaring.