Eagles once numbered around 50,000 in the contiguous United States, but by the time the U.S had restricted the use of DDT in1972, only about 800 bredding pairs remained. Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, however, the eagles have made a steady recovery. Breeding pairs now number close to 3000, and there has been an increase in the number of hatchlings per nest. Only in Canada and Alaska, however, are eagles found in abundance. A tremendous effort had been made to protect and restore the bald eagle population.
Some states now support effective nest-monitoring and programs to release young birds into the wild.
Other Comments Much to Benjamin Franklin's dismay, the Bald eagle was adopted as the national emblem in 1782. None the less, the bird serves as a symbol of wilderness and freedom. Bald Eagles are also considered to be higly adaptable birds. Smithsonian Institution Press,1984. Birds of Prey.