The number of American bald eagles has quadrupled since 2009, with more than 300,000 birds soaring over the lower 48 states.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said bald eagles, the national symbol that once teetered on the brink of extinction, have flourished in recent years, growing to more than 71,400 nesting pairs and an estimated 316,700 individual birds.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, in her first public appearance since being sworn in last week, hailed the eagle’s recovery and noted that the majestic, white-headed bird has always been considered sacred to Native American tribes and the United States generally.
“The strong return of this treasured bird reminds us of our nation’s shared resilience and the importance of being responsible stewards of our lands and waters that bind us together,″ said Haaland, the first Native American Cabinet secretary.
Bald eagles reached an all-time low of 417 known nesting pairs in 1963 in the lower 48 states. But after decades of protection, including banning the pesticide DDT and placement of the eagle on the endangered species list in more than 40 states, the bald eagle population has continued to grow. The bald eagle was removed from the list of threatened or endangered species in 2007.
“It is clear that the bald eagle population continues to thrive,″ Haaland said, calling the bird’s recovery a “success story (that) is a testament to the enduring importance of the work of the Interior Department scientists and conservationists.″
The celebration of the bald eagle “is also a moment to reflect on the importance of the Endangered Species Act, a vital tool in the efforts to protect America’s wildlife,″ Haaland said, calling the landmark 1973 law crucial to preventing the extinction of species such as the bald eagle or American bison.
God Bless America and its symbols of FREEDOM and POWER… [FWS, AP]
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That’s good and bad. More apex predators will kill more livestock. The only thing you can do is run dogs.
Remember too—Ravens and raptors can outsmart dogs, so you have to be mindful of that. Roosters will alert on raptors and ravens, so listen to their distress call, and get used to it.
Geese and ducks will ball up like a school of fish. It confuses the raptors. They don’t know which one to go for.
Get some turkeys too. They are huge, and they can really kicks some ass if pissed off.
When a turkey gets about a 4″ beard, its time to eat them. Otherwise, they start being sadistic to your smaller fowls. They will attack humans with a double-footed kangaroo style kick. Had it happen. Took out the 1911, and blew the bastatd’s head off. Delicious!