PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Osceola, the original bald eagle ambassador of the American Eagle Foundation, has died. Osceola was 41.
"Throughout his 41 years, Osceola's role as an educational ambassador has left an indelible mark on American Eagle Foundation and inspired countless to protect bald eagles and other birds of prey," the AEF said Monday. "Today, we honor his inspiring story and his magnificent bond with our Board Vice President John Stokes. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and Dale. We know they will miss Osceola, and so will AEF."
Osceola's story inspired many through the decades. Hunters spotted him in a field in Eastern Arkansas in 1981, and the immature eagle was unable to fly due to a wing injury. It became clear they had to amputate his left wing to save his life, but Osceola would never fly on his own again.
His handler, John Stokes, was determined to let Osceola soar again. Using his skills as a paraglider pilot, Stokes made a harness for the eagle -- and in 1995, Osceola soared once more after 14 years of being grounded.
The AEF said Osceola educated thousands of people, and was the first eagle to grace the stage at Dollywood as part of the "Wings of America" show in the 1990s. He even appeared with Dolly Parton on the Today Show, where she joked with his handler John not to "let Osceola snatch my hair off on national tv!”