Current Status Ospreys were placed on the Wisconsin Endangered and Threatened Species List in 1972. Since the banning of DDT, populations have recovered to a present level of more than 300 nesting pairs in the state. In 1989 the osprey was upgraded to Threatened status. By remaining on the Endangered and Threatened Species List, ospreys will still receive protection. Since 1973, the DNR has conducted annual aerial surveys to locate active osprey nests.
Biologists then visit each nest to band the chicks and observe fledgling success.
Injured or sick chicks are removed for rehabilitation, and dead chicks and eggs are collected and analyzed for contaminants. On average, osprey nesting success is now better because platforms provide a more stable site. Once the DNR knows a nest's location, it develops a management plan for the area using guidelines developed by the U.S. Forest Service for federal lands. The DNR enlists the cooperation of landowners to protect osprey nests on private lands. The goal, to increase the number of breeding pairs in the state to 300, was reached in 1990.