Protected, threatened, endangered. The list of species environmental organizations are keeping an eye on seems to grow longer each year, but some animals have made tremendous comebacks thanks to conservation efforts and the raising of public awareness. Here are just a few of the wild critters that have been pulled back from the threat of extinction.
California Condor
Due to the harmful effects of DDT (which can cause thinning of the birds’ eggshells resulting in fewer surviving hatchlings) as well as lead poisoning from eating other animals that had been shot by hunters, the California Condor was nearly completely wiped out. In 1987, the last remaining 22 birds were captured and put into monitored breeding programs. Toxic DDT has been banned and the newly bred Condors were released back into the wild. There is now an estimated 425 birds, both captive and wild, a population increase of nearly 2000%.
Florida Panther
Big cats mixed with growing human settlements rarely works out in favor of the cat. Development and construction in the Florida Panther’s natural habitat has devastated this species. As their territory shrinks, there has been an increase in the animals being hit by cars. Also, fewer cats means weaker offspring due to inbreeding. By the end of the 1970’s there were just an estimated 20 of these animals left in the wild. While they are still endangered, protected habitats and campaigns of public awareness have helped the breed increase in number. There are now about 100 Florida Panthers roaming the Sunshine State.
Bald Eagle
What would it say about us as a nation if we let our country’s symbol of freedom die out? Like the Condor, the American Bald Eagle has also suffered the negative effects of the pesticide DDT and was once reduced to a mere 412 nesting pairs of birds. Having once numbers nearly half a million birds, this was a shameful and catastrophic loss. Hunting or trapping these majestic creatures has long been outlawed and, thanks to the banning of DDT and the creation of wildlife preserves, nearly 10,000 pairs of Bald Eagles now soar proudly across the lower 48 states.
With continued public awareness and the preservation of their natural habitats, these and many other beautiful animals can stay safely away from the brink of extinction.
