Lincoln the Bald Eagle to Move to Natural Lands’ Preserve

A majestic Bald Eagle flying across a clear, blue sky at Glades Wildlife Refuge, NJ.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA, Pa., April 1, 2025 – Lincoln, the Bald Eagle made famous for his flyovers at Philadelphia’s home football games, will now spend his summers close to the City of Brotherly Love, according to his carers. A state-of-the-art enclosure will be installed at Natural Lands’ Hildacy Preserve later this spring. 

The 27-year-old raptor took over for his predecessor, Challenger, when that Bald Eagle developed cataracts. Both eagles live with other birds of prey in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at the American Eagle Foundation. The nonprofit organization works to rehabilitate eagles and other birds of prey, and to educate the public about their care and conservation. 

“As Lincoln is middle-aged, we are assessing the impact of the heat on his quality of life,” said Frank Prank, senior habitat scientist at the Foundation. “In Tennessee, it can get very hot and humid in the summer. We’ve observed Lincoln panting—which is how eagles thermoregulate—more often and acting more lethargic.” 

The Pennsylvania-based facility will also mean Lincoln won’t have to spend so much time being transported from Tennessee to Philadelphia for football games.  

“To be frank,” Frank stated, “we can use the enclosure at Hildacy Preserve to reduce stressful travel during football season when there are back-to-back home games.”

Bald Eagles can live into their 40s in captivity, so experts hope that the move to Pennsylvania will give Lincoln the best chance of a long and happy life. 

“We’re so excited to offer Lincoln summer accommodations,” said Natural Lands President Oliver Bass. “Our organization has worked for more than 70 years to preserve and care for habitats in which Bald Eagles and other wildlife can thrive. We hope Lincoln’s presence will remind preserve visitors how important the work of conservation is.” 

“Plus, we think it’s pretty cool that Lincoln will be closer to Philadelphia football fans,” Bass added. “There is an open invitation to all residents of our region to visit our properties, and that includes Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. Over the decades, land development has impacted these beautiful birds… it’s really hit them low and hit them high. Our conservation work puts them on the road to victory. We take a 1-2-3 strategy, finding a place for them to touch down.”  

The eagle enclosure will be constructed largely within the 1800s bank barn on the preserve, which is located in Media, PA. The upper level of the barn, used only for storage over the years, will become an aviary with a retractable roof so that Lincoln can enjoy fresh air on milder days. Other amenities for the famous eagle include a programable sound system so his carers can read bedtime stories to Lincoln remotely, a pneumatic tube system that will release rats—Lincoln’s favorite snack—for both exercise and nutrition, and a carwash-like washing station with a conveyor belt to keep Lincoln clean and free of parasites.  

To cover all expenses for the raptor facility, we have an ambitious fundraising request out to Dolly Parton, who has long been a benefactor to the American Eagle Foundation.  

Construction is expected to begin later this month.  

“April is a busy time of year for us at Natural Lands,” said Gary Gimbert, vice president of stewardship. “Once we get through April Fool’s Day, it will be full steam ahead on this project.” 

(Happy April 1st!)