How Does AEF Help Bald Eagles?
How has AEF been involved with Bald Eagle repopulation?
One method AEF used in the recovery of the bald eagle was breeding of non-releasable eagles under human care, or the translocation of wild eggs or eaglets, and the subsequent hacking of eaglets into the wild.
American Eagle Foundation was a leader in the bald eagle breeding initiative for about 30 years. From 1992–2020, AEF released a total of 182 Bald Eaglets and 11 Golden Eaglets from its Hack Tower near Douglas Lake in East Tennessee. More than half of these eaglets were produced by bald eagle breeding pairs cared for by American Eagle Foundation.
American Eagle Foundation was one of the only organizations in the United States that conducted a large scale, successful eagle breeding and hacking program that resulted in a significant increase of bald eagles in Tennessee and beyond.
It was truly a privilege and an honor for our foundation to contribute to the wild bald eagle population though this program.
What is bald eagle hacking?
A hack tower is an artificial nesting structure overlooking a wild, natural habitat where eaglets are placed at about 7 weeks of age, to be released into the wild at about 13 weeks of age in order to help repopulate a geographical area. The theory behind a hack tower is that eagles will often return to an area where they first learned to fly.
in 2020, in cooperation with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency & the United States Fish & Wildlife Service, AEF has released a total of 182 young Bald Eagles from its Douglas Lake, TN hack site, the largest number of any hack releases in the state. AEF has assisted the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and other partners in the hacking of hundreds of other eaglets.
How did Bald Eagles benefit from the sale of Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins?
American Eagle Foundation was designated by Congress to administer funds from the sale of Bald Eagle Commemorative Coins, which were minted and marketed by the U.S. Mint in 2008. Of the $7.8 million generated from these sales, AEF placed $5.8 million in a perpetual endowment fund, called the American Eagle Fund. This Fund grew sufficiently for AEF to begin awarding grants in 2012 for nationwide Bald Eagle conservation and education projects. – BH
How did the AEF rehabilitate injured Bald Eagles?
Prior to 2023 – The University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine cared for injured or sick birds which came under the care of American Eagle Foundation.
In addition, we had a tech vet on staff. AEF had full flight structure where birds who were rehabilitated were able to regain their flying skills. After determining that an eagle (or other raptor) had regained its ability to survive in the wild, that individual was released at or close by the same location where it was found injured.
Update: Since we’ve relocated our Rehab program has been paused – AEF is currently raising funds for the Project Eagle: Raptor Rehabilitation and Research Center (RRRC) Campaign, though our center is not funded, we continue to wirk with local rehabbers to care for injured raptors.
At our future raptor rehabilitation clinic, our capacity to care for injured birds of prey will reach new heights. Outfitted with state-of-the-art veterinary equipment, resident veterinary experts, and skilled staff, our facility is sure to become the gold standard of avian rehabilitation.
Through Project Eagle: Raptor Rehabilitation and Research Center (RRRC) Campaign, we invite individuals and organizations to join us in shaping the future, click here to make a donation or if you or your organization is interested in becoming a philanthropic donor or corporate sponsor of Project Eagle (RRRC), please contact the following:
Jessica A. Hall
Executive Director, American Eagle Foundation
jessica@eagles.org
What if an eagle cannot be released because of its inability to survive in the wild?
AEF will care for the bird at its state-of-the-art facilities. It might be an educational bird, or it may be placed in the Pick-a-Mate section of our Eagle Mountain Sanctuary aviary to be with others of its kind.
How does the AEF educate the public about Bald Eagles & other birds of prey?
Wings of America shows at Dollywood, Facility tours, and exhibits; programs; appearances by Bald Eagles Lincoln or Challenger, public outreach; live HD nest cams; our website and social media; Newsletters. More information can be found here.