[8] The Golden Eagle was originally created as the theme for the book The World's Greatest Treasure Hunt: Quest for the Golden Eagle, a work by Ron Shore to help raise $25 million to fund research for the prevention, early detection and cure for breast cancer.

[1][2][9] Ron Shore commissioned Canadian sculptor Kevin Peters to help create the Golden Eagle.

[1][2][12] $1 million from the sale will be given to the breast cancer charity of the buyer's choice, $1 million will be given to the winner of The World's Greatest Treasure Hunt, while the remaining sum is to be used to promote The World's Greatest Treasure Hunt to raise additional funds for breast cancer research.

[12] Participants in The World's Greatest Treasure Hunt win "The Grand Prize", $1,000,000 in cash by solving clues hidden in the book, The World's Greatest Treasure Hunt: Quest for the Golden Eagle, written by Ron Shore.

[15] On December 1, 2020 an article in the Vancouver Sun newspaper reports Lloyd’s of London Insurance has denied his claim for the theft of the bird.