Bald Eagle To Be Removed From New Jersey Endangered List
According to multiple media reports based on an announcement from the state, New Jersey is planning to remove our nation’s national symbol – the Bald Eagle – from the Endangered Species List. Not only that, the Jersey Shore‘s Osprey is proposed to be removed from that list as well.
New Jersey authorities will accept public comments on the proposal until August 2nd.
I have a public comment: “This is SO cool! What wonderful news for people who love nature! I’ve seen bald eagles nesting over by the Manasquan Reservoir and we’ve had “Ozzy the Osprey” making a nest just outside our radio station.”
-Carl Craft
The Bald Eagle and Osprey: An Amazing Return
The proposal to remove both birds from the endangered species list came from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. If the proposal is adopted, it would mark an amazing return for the bald eagle which was decimated by pollutants and pesticides like DDT.
Before conservation efforts began in the mid 1970’s and early 1980’s, New Jersey was down to just one nesting pair of bald eagles in a remote area of Cumberland County, in southern New Jersey. Similarly, the Osprey was down to 50 individuals in the state. Today there are more than 800.
These days the Bald Eagle and Osprey populations have rebounded thanks to conservation efforts. Those efforts include banning those damaging chemicals and pesticides, volunteers monitoring nests and public education efforts.
“Because of their efforts, people across the state today can thrill at the sight of bald eagles gliding above their massive tree-top nests or ospreys diving into a coastal creek to snare a fish. While we celebrate these successes, we must remain vigilant in ensuring that these species continue to thrive and be ever mindful that endangered species continue to need our help.”
-Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette
Are Bald Eagles Still Protected?
Bald eagles are nationally protected because of their status as our national symbol. The Bald Eagle Protection Act will continue to protect this animal from harm. There’s hefty penalties for anyone who pretty much breathes the wrong way on a bald eagle, talking like $100,000.
So if your first reaction to this announcement was, “oh awesome because bald eagle egg omelets are delicious” (lol) well I’d suggest you stick with the mighty chicken.
