When the bald eagle was chosen as the United States’ national bird, it was because it symbolized power and freedom. It is hard to imagine but this symbol of strength was nearly destroyed in America. At one point, there were nearly 50,000 bald eagles in the United States. By 1972 only about 800 breeding pairs remained in the country. In 1979 there were only four breeding pairs living in Ohio.

What happened to the eagles? The largest problem was the use of a pesticide called DDT. Farmers used DDT to get rid of insects that might destroy their crops. Unfortunately DDT was made of chemicals dangerous for other wildlife too. These chemicals washed into lakes and rivers and contaminated the fish. Eagles like to live close to rivers and lakes because fish is one of their favorite foods. The fish the eagles were eating contained those dangerous chemicals. Though the eagles did not die from the chemicals, they produced eggs that were very soft and broke very easily, so new eagles were not being born.

Fortunately the use of chemicals like DDT became illegal. The bald eagle was placed on the list of endangered species. It is illegal to hurt eagles in any way or to own any parts of an eagle—even a feather! Because of breeding programs, the population of bald eagles is once again growing; Ohio now has over 100 nesting pairs. In the United States, the bald eagle may soon be taken off the endangered species list.