'Patriot' soars again at Dale Hollow Lake  

Members of the American Eagle Foundation released "Patriot" back into the wild. (Courtesy photo)

Mar. 30, 2007

By Dave Treadway
Nashville District

An American bald eagle, that was grounded in a pasture in east Tennessee, once again sails above the mountains around Dale Hollow Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake, thanks to a number of friends who came to its rescue. 

Doug Neatherly, of Alpine, Tenn., in Overton County, first spotted the mature eagle in January "just standing in my pasture."  He called the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and wildlife officer Andy Barlow responded. 

As Barlow approached the female bald eagle, it flew a short distance with difficulty and landed near a patch of woods.  A short time later Barlow said he was able to catch the bird of prey, while wearing thick leather gloves, in a patch of woods and immediately transported it to the Ragland-Riley Veterinary Clinic in Livingston, Tenn. 

Dr. Donald Ragland examined the eagle and could find no visible wounds or broken bones in his initial checkup.   He said the eagle appeared to be "addled, calm and tame" unusual traits for such a bird of prey.

Ragland fed the bird with a tube, kept it overnight and then released it to the care of Lee Barclay, director of the Upper Cumberland Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee in Cookeville, Tenn. 

Over the course of a day and half, Barclay offered the bird raw chicken gizzards and lean beef which, after initially refusing, it ate readily.  It then ate a second helping that also included a large mouse.  Barclay then transported the eagle to the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., at Dollywood.  

With facilities designed to house and care for eagles, the AEF staff was able to complete the rehabilitation process.  In cooperation with Dr. Mike Jones of the University of Tennessee Veterinary School, the bird was re-examined and diagnosed as having a serious concussion.  Initially the bird refused to eat and the AEF staff had to force feed it.  But after a couple of weeks, it began to eat on its own again, and eventually began to recover from the concussion and exhibit the wild tendencies for which it is known. 

The bald eagle, named "Patriot" in honor of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, was in a 150-foot flight cage at the AEF facility for several months. 

"The release of this majestic bird is yet another reminder of the importance of eagle conservation in the U.S. and all those Americans who have died in the name of freedom," said Al Cecere, AEF president.  "The efforts of the American Eagle Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency continue to ensure that future generations will have the opportunity to see and enjoy the majestic eagle as it flies across America's heartland."

The fourth- and fifth-grade classes from Hilham Elementary School, Hilham, Tenn., were on hand to witness the release.  Teacher Michelle Nivens, whose husband is Dale Hollow ranger Gregg Nivens, brought her students to Lillydale Campground for the event.

"My students are so excited to witness this release, and I am happy for them.  They are so looking forward to it," said Nivens when her class arrived at Lillydale.

Each year rangers at Dale Hollow host an Eagle Watch in mid-January and pick up guests at Lillydale, Nashville District's only campground listed in ReserveAmerica's top 10 campgrounds from across the nation.