How the United States is restoring justice to the once endangered bald eagle

Bald eagles have long been a symbol of freedom, resilience, and power. They were declared the national bird of the United States of America in 1782. But this patriotism was a short-lived affair. Despite their significance, the unsuspecting bird was targeted by citizens and hunted to the verge of extinction. 

While not actually bald, the eagle’s contrasting white head and dark body plumage gives the impression of a bald look. With a wingspan of over two metres, the majestic birds dive at approximately 160 kilometres per hour to catch their prey. Bald eagles are among the highest-flying birds, gliding at altitudes of up to 10 000 feet. In indigenous American culture, they symbolise a connection to divinity because they are believed to be the closest creatures to the creator. But by the mid-1900s, the bald eagle was plummeting.

If bald eagles weren’t killed in shootings as part of sporting activities, they were bounty hunted. Many perceived the bird to be predators that needed eliminating, and a financial reward was offered for shooting them. Farmers also killed the eagles out of the belief that they posed a threat to their livestock. Bald eagles were on a steady decline, and the implementation of the 1940 Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act made killing these birds illegal. However, a new threat continued to exacerbate their downfall. The pesticide DDT was being increasingly used in agricultural settings. Infiltrating water systems, it contaminated fish and poisoned bald eagles. Although this didn’t kill the birds, it weakened the quality of their eggs and ability to reproduce. By the 1960s, there were less than 500 nesting pairs found in 48 states. The only thing left to do was ban DDTs, which took place in 1972.

Since the early 2000s, there has been a remarkable resurgence in the bald eagle population. Owing to federal laws and conservation efforts which safeguard native animals and plant life, the once near-extinct bald eagle is now soaring to new heights with a population over 300 000. It’s an American success story, and a reminder that endangered animals can survive through our wilful efforts to protect them.

Footage by Scott Suriano was used in the creation of this film.