[/av_textblock] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” custom_class=”] Monday, July 19, 2010
Pigeon Forge, TN – The American Eagle Foundation (www.eagles.org) recently released a rehabilitated immature Bald Eaglet on South Holston Lake near Bristol, Tennessee.
The eaglet had been found by 17-year old Joe Slagle near the South Holston dam tangled in fishing line and with a hook in its wing. It had first been transported by TWRA officer Jeff Brater to the UT Veterinary College in Knoxville and then later transferred to the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) at Dollywood (Pigeon Forge) for further care and rehabilitation, where it had been in a flight enclosure for several months. The fishing line had caused lacerations and folicle damage in the area of the bird’s primary (wing tip) feathers.
Slagle, whose parents own Lake View Dock near Laurel Marina in Bristol, TN, had spotted the eaglet tangled in a “limb line” used for catching catfish. He reported that the bird had a dead bluegill in its talons that was hooked to the fishing line, and also that the young bird was pretty hungry and fairly motionless when he found it. After the young man had caught the eaglet up, he placed it in a Rubbermaid container and immediately called the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
AEF Founder & President Al Cecere released the eaglet back to the wild close to where it had been found. Slagle, two TWRA officers (Bryan Kegley and David Carpenter) and a couple other AEF staff members (Kellie Morrison and Tanya Rentz) were present to witness the bird’s flight to freedom.
WRA officer Bryan Kegley & AEF Founder/President Al Cecere, South Holston Lake resident (and eagle rescuer) Joe Slagle & TWRA officer David Carpenter.
American Eagle Foundation Founder/President Al Cecere prepares to release a rehabilitated Bald Eaglet into the wilds of South Holston Lake. The bird was previously found injured and tangled in fishing line and rescued by 17-year old lake resident Joe Slagle. Slagle and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers Bryan Kegley and David Carpenter were present to witness the eaglet’s release back into the wild. Photos by: Michael Brooks Henderson Copyright American Eagle Foundation. Used by permission.
(Left to right), TWRA officer Bryan Kegley & AEF Founder/President Al Cecere
American Eagle Foundation Founder/President Al Cecere releases a rehabilitated bald eaglet into the wilds of South Holston Lake. The bird was previously found injured and tangled in fishing line and rescued by 17-year old lake resident Joe Slagle. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officer Bryan Kegley looks on as Cecere tosses the eaglet into the air. Slagle and TWRA officer David Carpenter were also present to witness the eaglet’s return to the wild. Photo by: Michael Brooks Henderson Copyright American Eagle Foundation. Used by permission.