The bald eagle, is continuing to make a comeback in numbers in the United States..
Kay Newman, the executive director of S.O.A.R., which stands for “Saving Our Avian Resources”, operates a rehabilitation program for eagles in Carroll.
She says the bald eagle population has increased from a low of 500 nesting pairs in the 1960’s to a current estimated number of 70,000 birds:
OC……..lower 48 states. :23
She says a combination of the D-D-T insecticide, and hunting, reduced the population of bald eagles which placed them on the endangered species list in the 1960’s.
The U-S banned DDT, but bald eagles still face dangers from lead
poisoning from both hunting and fishing:
OC………..completely preventable. :20
Newman says eagles will prey on other animals that may have been shot by lead-based ammunition or fish that swallowed lead based lures.
She says that is how they get the lead poisoning and recommends that sportsmen use non-lead ammo or fishing sinkers.
