In the 1960s, one of America’s most treasured and symbolic animals was declared an endangered species. The Bald Eagle, made our nation’s national animal in its founding days, was nearing extinction leading up to the 1970s thanks to its consumption of DDT. However, when the pesticide was banned in 1972, bald eagles were given a new lease on life and in 1976 the New York State Bald Eagle Restoration Project began. Without this project, the bald eagle population would never have recovered in the northeast, while also serving as an example of how to rejuvenate a species population efficiently and with minimal human interference.

In 1976, the restoration project began. Through a breeding process called hacking, meaning hand-rearing to independence, nearly 200 nestling bald eagles were introduced to the ADK region from Alaska over a 13-year time span. After these 13 years, the project had reached its goal of establishing ten breeding pairs and was able to transition into preservation and protection-based goals instead. Ultimately, this project was an overwhelming success bringing the population from near extinction in 1970 to 173 breeding partners in 2010, which produced 244 baby eagles that year. Every year since 1989, around 10% more baby eagles are born than the year before. This healthy and consistent rate represents the overall success of this project in saving one of the most majestic animals in the world. This project’s success cannot be overlooked either, as it led to creating one of the two regions in the lower 48 states that have breeding resident bald eagle populations. In the map below, in the upper portion of New York, the red shading represents a population of breeding resident bald eagles that only three other states can claim. The map highlights the importance and success of the project in creating a lasting and thriving environment to resurrect the bald eagle population when it was at its worst and allow it to spread to states across the US.

This past summer at the end of August, I was able to witness the long-lasting effects of the project firsthand when I saw both my first and second ever bald eagles in the high peaks wilderness perched on two rocks in a lake (pictured below). Looking back at this, I find it fascinating that without the 1976 restoration project, I most likely would not yet have encountered a bald eagle in my lifetime. It is really awesome to be able to see the impact and success the project has had in the region, while also serving as an example of how to reintegrate a species back into the wilderness.

Sources:

“Bald Eagle.” Bald Eagle – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/74052.html.

“Bald Eagle Restoration in New York, 1976 to 1989.” Bald Eagle Restoration in New York, 1976 to 1989 – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9380.html.

“Adirondack Bald Eagles: Facts, Photos, and Where to Find Them.” Adirondack.net, https://www.adirondack.net/wildlife/bald-eagles/.