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 NFL sporting events during the national anthem.
Video Challenger (eagle)
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.
Maps Challenger (eagle)
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
- Atlanta Braves
- Arizona Cardinals
- Auburn University
- Boston College Eagles
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Chicago Cubs
- University of Connecticut
- San Francisco Giants
- Green Bay Packers
- Buffalo Bills
- Florida Marlins
- Indianapolis Colts
- Texas Rangers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Minnesota Vikings
- New York Yankees
- Oklahoma State University
- Detroit Lions
- Tennessee Titans
- University of Tennessee
- Florida State University
- Louisiana State University
- Carson-Newman University
- Georgia Southern University
- United States Military Academy
Individual events
- 1996 Paralympics
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Grand Opening
- World War II Memorial groundbreaking ceremony
- White House ceremonies
- High Point University Graduation Ceremonies
- Ceremony delisting the bald eagle as an endangered species
- 2007 Texas vs. Oklahoma State football game
- We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, January 18, 2009
- October 2, 2010, Boston College vs. Notre Dame Football Game
- May 19, 2014, Boston College Commencement ceremony
- Horatio Alger Association Award Ceremony 2014
- HP Communications, Inc. Company Christmas Party- San Diego, CA- 2017
References
External links
- Challenger's Home Page
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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