Auburn Retires Current War Eagle Mascot 1 Week Before Iron Bowl
By Chris Russo
The No. 16 Auburn Tigers are retiring the latest iteration of their iconic mascot and bringing in some new life just over a week before the Iron Bowl with the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Auburn is replacing Nova, also known as War Eagle VII, with Aurea, now known as War Eagle VIII.
BREAKING BIRD NEWS pic.twitter.com/ngtg5W3nlt
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) November 22, 2019
Nova is 20 years old and has not done a pregame flight since 2017 due to a heart disease known as cardiomyopathy. Auburn will mark the official transition with a ceremony at halftime on Saturday against Samford.
Since 2006, I have served as @AuburnU’s “War Eagle.” Today, I have been officially retired from pregame flights and Aurea has been named War Eagle VIII! https://t.co/fBzMGsmol3
— War Eagle VII (@wareagle) November 22, 2019
Nova will retire to the Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine's Southeastern Raptor Center, where he will rest in low-stress situations on a perch or a glove, while being a part of presentations for small groups.
Nova has been at Auburn since he was one year old, began flying at games at age six, and became the official War Eagle at age eight. The team went 44-14 when he flew, and 107-59 in his War Eagle tenure, including winning the National Championship in 2010 and reaching it again in 2013.
Aurea will not be the only flight bird still active, as Auburn's 23 year-old Bald Eagle named Spirit, as well as newcomer Indy, will continue to take flight.