The bald eagle population in the United States has made a big recovery. Federal delisting efforts of the bald eagle as endangered began in the early 2000s, and this month, New Jersey became the latest state to officially declare it as no longer endangered, marking a comeback for a species that once had just a single nest in the state back in the 1980s. Now, there are around 300 nesting pairs.
Former President Biden recently signed legislation designating the bald eagle as the country's national bird, a move that confirmed what many already assumed due to its presence on the national seal. This legislative action was supported by Native American and veterans groups, and facilitated by Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Cultural reverence for the bald eagle is deep-rooted, especially among Native American communities in the Pacific Northwest, as noted by folklore expert Paul Apodaca.
Much of the eagle's population recovery can be attributed to the 1972 ban on DDT, a harmful insecticide that thinned eggshells and decimated numbers nationwide. Conservationists, like Kathy Clark from New Jersey's Endangered and Nongame Species Program, have been instrumental in recovery efforts through measures such as importing stable populations from Canada and carefully managing eagle eggs.
story continues below
However, as these adaptable birds expand into suburban areas, new challenges arise. Jilian Fazio, director of the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, warns about the risks posed by urban environments, such as car injuries, which led to a permanent injury for a rescued eagle named Freedom. The threat of avian influenza also remains a concern for conservationists, who emphasize habitat preservation and clean water access. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
