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Auburn Raptor Center Handler Holding A Bald Eagle On Her Gloved Hand In The Stadium — AURC Assistant Director Amanda Sweeney holding Independence, one of Auburn’s “War Eagles.” (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Of all the beloved traditions that college football season brings, there’s one that is uniquely Auburn: the iconic “War Eagle” flight. Just before kickoff, an untethered eagle takes a majestic flight around Jordan-Hare Stadium, capturing the attention of every attendee—regardless of who they’re rooting for.

While the famous gameday flight is a fan favorite, it’s just one piece of the Auburn University Raptor Center‘s (AURC) year-round mission. We spoke with the AURC team to get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to train the eagles for their famous flight—and their much bigger mission to treat injured wildlife and raise awareness about these magnificent creatures.

Read the full story here.

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