Caesar the Bald Eagle returns safely after storm disrupts Dollywood aviary

Caesar, one of three bald eagles that went missing from Dolly Parton’s Dollywood following storm damage to their aviary, has safely returned home after a days-long search effort involving wildlife officials and community members.

The American Eagle Foundation confirmed on Saturday, May 2, that Caesar was recovered and brought back to safety, crediting the public for helping locate the bird.

“This is what a community of friends looks like,” the foundation wrote on Facebook. “Thank you all for showing up for him! We could not continue without your support!”

The eagles disappeared on April 19 after an overnight storm uprooted a tree near the park’s Eagle Mountain Sanctuary, compromising the enclosure and allowing the birds to escape.

Staff from the American Eagle Foundation later confirmed that Caesar and two other eagles were unaccounted for, prompting a coordinated search effort across the region.

Officials said the aviary, which spans 30,000 square feet, is home to the largest presentation of non-releasable bald eagles in the United States.

The birds involved—Caesar, Wesley and Rockland—are unable to survive in the wild due to prior injuries or medical conditions.

In the days following the escape, foundation staff and volunteers actively tracked the birds while urging the public to report sightings.

“Keep your eyes on the skies,” CEO Lori Moore said earlier in the search, noting that ground sightings offered the best chance for safe recovery.

Recent reports indicated that Wesley and Rockland had been spotted in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas, though they had not yet been secured.

According to the foundation, Wesley is identifiable by a black leg band and a chronic shoulder injury, while Rockland has a healed wing fracture and wears an orange identification band marked “SK.”

Authorities said repair work on the damaged aviary is ongoing, and the remaining birds will be safely housed until it is fully restored.