Down to Earth Blog

National Bird Has Recovered in the Lower 48:  Last Thursday, June 28, the Department of the Interior removed the bald eagle from the list of threatened and endangered species. There are now 9,789 breeding pairs of bald eagles in the lower 48 states, a dramatic increase from the low point of 417 breeding pairs in 1963.

A Department of Interior press release notes that "The bald eagle first gained federal protection in 1940, under what later became the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act," but "the eagle population fell into steep decline in later decades, due primarily to widespread use of the pesticide DDT after World War II. DDT accumulated in eagles and caused them to lay eggs with weakened shells, decimating the eagle population across the nation."

The bald eagle received additional protection in 1967 under the predecessor to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). When the ESA was enacted in 1973, the eagle was one of the first animals it protected. That, combined with the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to ban the general use of DDT in 1972, led to the eagles' recovery.

Going forward, the eagles will continue to be protected by two federal laws prohibiting  "taking" -- killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs.

I think the return of the bald eagle is a great success story and showcases the importance of both the ESA and the decision to ban DDT. We should remember this success when trying to protect other animals and when judging the environmental costs and benefits of pesticides.

What do you think? Post your comments here.

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• #3 Comment from bonggworld 
  7/8/07 8:52 AM | Permalink

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• #2 Comment from huskyhoc 
  7/7/07 10:26 PM | Permalink

  My sister who passed on was an avid Bald Eagle lover . She would be so happy about the great news. I will be putting  a picture of a Bald Eagle next to her plot this week.
• #1 Comment from girlee74 
  7/4/07 9:56 AM | Permalink

  Well said! The recovery of the bald eagle is encouraging...