July 4, 2000

A classic American symbol, the bald eagle, is soaring again over the 48 adjoining states. But there are still concerns about its future.

Eagle watchers had hoped to celebrate the removal of an American symbol from the Threatened Species list by today - Independence Day. But it turns out it probably won't happen after all.

News Specialist Terry Wood has the details.

The bald eagle became the symbol of American determination after the Revolution. But since then, their numbers have dropped dramatically because of poaching and pesticides, like D.D.T.

Sharon Dale/Tracy Aviary Bird Show Manager: "WHEN GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS PRESIDENT, THERE WERE OVER 100,000 BALD EAGLES IN THE LOWER 48 STATES. AND WHEN THEY DECIDED TO PROTECT THEM, IN THE LATE 60S, EARLY 70S, THERE WERE ONLY 417 NESTING PAIRS. LITTLE OVER 800 BIRDS, TOTAL. THEIR NUMBERS, THEY WERE ALMOST GONE."

But now, it has made an amazing recovery, thanks to breeding in captivity and a ban on D.D.T.

Today, there are almost 16,000 bald eagles. And a few years ago, it was downgraded from Endangered to Threatened.

Sharon Dale/Tracy Aviary: 'THE EDUCATION IS WORKING, PEOPLE AREN'T SHOOTING THEM ANYMORE. THE RATES OF SHOOTING ARE DOWN TREMENDOUSLY. IT USED TO BE CHILDREN THAT SHOT BALD EAGLES MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP IN OUR POPULATION. TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT BEING SHOT AS OFTEN IS TREMENDOUS."))

Here, some folks are watching bald eagles near Farmington Bay for Bald Eagle Day, usually held in February.

In honor of Independence Day, the bald eagle was supposed to be removed from the threatened species list this month. But last week, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service says it is still concerned whether federal law protects the bird's habitat.

Sharon Dale/Tracy Aviary: "THEY MIGRATE, AND IF THEIR AREAS AREN'T PROTECTED, SOMEONE COULD CUT THEIR TREE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER AND THAT'S AS GOOD AS KILLING THE BIRD."

Instead of celebrating the "de-listing" of the eagle, the Tracy Aviary gave veterans the chance to have their photo taken with the bald eagle, and a golden eagle - both had been shot in the wild. It's a fate fewer and fewer eagles are having to face.

Eagle watchers are hopeful the bald eagle will be taken off the threatened species list this fall.