Without such predators prey populations fluctuate, in effect controlling themselves by overpopulation, starvation and disease. promote survival of the fittest by selectively preying on deformed, weak or sick animals. Thus, they assist with bush hygiene. Because they are predators at the top of the food chain they accumulate certain agricultural chemicals from their food and can act as an early warning system for pollution. Like all native species they have the right to exist in the wild. Today, despite legal protection and changing attitudes, the wedge-tailed eagle remains vulnerable to extinction.
Some landowners believe that wedge-tailed eagles pose a threat to lambs and kids.
However, studies have shown these fears to be unwarranted. Exposure to bad weather and miss-mothering were the most important causes of death. Studies in Tasmania show that in sheep grazing areas, rabbits, hares, brushtail possums and wallabies are the most important prey, although a great variety of animals are eaten dead or alive, from cormorants and echidnas to snakes. With rare exceptions, eagles simply do not create an economic problem. When a farmer suspects livestock has been killed by an eagle, wherever possible, the Parks and Wildlife Service will organise post mortems.