TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey announced a proposal on Monday to remove the bald eagle from its endangered species list, reflecting a significant recovery since the 1970s. At that time, the state had just one remaining nesting pair located in a remote area.
This resurgence is credited to the efforts of both volunteers and state wildlife professionals who have played a crucial role in nurturing hatchlings, protecting nests, and educating the public about wildlife conservation. State Environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette emphasized that this initiative also includes the osprey, which is currently listed as threatened.
According to state officials, this positive change suggests that both the bald eagle and the osprey are no longer at immediate risk of extinction. LaTourette described this achievement as a crucial milestone for wildlife conservation in New Jersey.
Despite the bald eagle being removed from the federal endangered species list in 2007, New Jersey continued to protect the species at the state level due to ongoing threats to their habitats and disturbances at nesting sites.
The historical decline of these birds was largely due to the use of DDT, an insecticide that contaminated their food chain, weakening eggshells among other issues. The harmful chemical was banned in 1972, which has contributed to the recovery of these species.