Research Center Helped Restore Bald Eagles

Friday, June 29th 2007, 7:03 am

By: News On 6

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. (AP) -- A research center in Bartlesville is being credited with helping restore the bald eagle population in the U.S. The Department of the Interior is removing the eagle from the endangered list. The bird was placed on the list in 1963 when only 417 mating pairs were found in the lower 48 states. The department says there are now 9,789 pairs.

The success is due in part to the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville which placed 325 young eagles in Oklahoma and four other states from 1985 to 1992.

Center assistant director Alan Jenkins says it was the largest project in the United States to reintroduce the eagle.

Although the eagle is being removed from the endangered list it's still illegal to kill, harm or sell eagles, their nests or their eggs.

Related stories:

6/8/2007 - Bald Eagle To Be Taken Off The Endangered Species List

6/27/2007 - Bald Eagle Goes Off Endangered List