Update:

(September 18, 2009) Liberty has not been tracked since mid July and her whereabouts are unknown. Her flight path was a direct beeline to the Chesapeake Bay, an area with the largest concentration of eagles in the eastern United States. Liberty has likely visited this region before. It is believed that while fishing in the Potomac River, her tracking system became disabled, possibly after diving into the river.

Jeff Cooper from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries surveyed the last known location of Liberty using GPS coordinates and discovered an unknown communal bald eagle roost. “This is an important find and we could not have received this valuable information without the help of Liberty. Our discovery will help in the conservation of these birds,” said Todd Katzner of the National Aviary. Carolina Raptor Center has successfully tracked other bald eagles before, including Len and Lola who were released in June of 2006. Their journey can be seen at http://www.carolinaraptorcenter.org/eagle_journeys.

Carolina Raptor Center has already rehabilitated 9 eagles this year, up from 6 in 2008. More habitat protection is needed to ensure their survival, as well as environmental education and action. “Mercury poisoning has become an emerging problem in eagles as these birds consume fish with concentrated levels of toxic heavy metals,” says Dr. Dave Scott, Veterinarian at CRC. These environmental dangers threaten the species as well as the health of the human population. At the head of the food chain, raptors are leading scientific indicators of a healthy environment.

(July 21, 2009)Liberty is most likely fishing along the Potomac River. She has flown over 400 miles.

Listen to the WFAE Podcast with Dr. David Scott and April Davenport-Rice on Charlotte Talks.
Watch a news clip from News 14.
Read about the event in the Charlotte Observer and WCNC.
Governor's Office Blog

Carolina Raptor Center released a bald eagle in honor of North Carolina's veterans and fallen service men and women. The event took place on July 4th, 2009 at McGuire Nuclear Station's EnergyExplorium.

County Commissioner Karen Bentley, Senator Daniel Clodfelter, Representative Jim Gulley, Mayor Jill Swain, and Representative Thom Tillis were in attendance. The keynote speaker was Colonel Charles A. Dunn II of Pope Air Force Base. Local veteran and Mayor of Davidson, John Woods released the eagle.

The bald eagle released has a miraculous story. Brought to Carolina Raptor Center on Memorial Day 2009, the eagle sustained injuries resulting from a conflict over territory and made a full recovery by Independence Day. This event allowed us to honor a national symbol, as well as those who have fought and sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom. The eagle was named Liberty in honor of fallen service men and women of the Carolinas.

Liberty is tracked with special GPS technology that uses cell phone towers to pinpoint her location. The tracking device is sponsored by Thom Tillis and the NC House Republican Caucus. It's made possible by Cellular Tracking Technologies, National Aviary, and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. If you're interested in sponsoring an eagle, contact Blanche Evans for details. This event was sponsored in part by Panara Bread, Amélie’s French Bakery, and Food Lion