Conservation Success Stories

In the United States, there is no greater conservation comeback story than the bald eagle. Known for its majestic beauty and strength, the bald eagle has been a symbol of America since 1782 when it became the national emblem.

An estimated 500,000 bald eagles soared the skies of North America during the 18th century. Unfortunately, as time followed, these numbers began to diminish due to hunting and habitat loss. By 1940, a law was created, now known as the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, making the killing of bald eagles illegal. Nonetheless an even greater threat lurked within the shadows. Soon DDT - an insecticide with widespread use - was developed and introduced to the public.

Over the next two decades, the eagle’s populations plummeted. By the mid- 1950s, less than 500 nesting pairs of bald eagles remained. The widespread effectiveness of DDT created a boost in popularity, while its adverse side effects on wildlife and the environment became apparent. As DDT residue would wash off agricultural fields and into aquatic ecosystems, the pesticide worked its way up the food chain. Soon bald eagles and other large predatory animals across the country were eating contaminated fish. Chemicals from DDT caused the bald eagles to lay eggs with brittle shells so thin that they did not survive.

Facing the very near demise of the national symbol of the United States, the bald eagle joined the Endangered Species list in 1967. With continued habitat loss and DDT poisoning, the Environmental Protection Agency sprang into action and in 1972 the Unites States banned the use of DDT.

Thanks to the ban, the bald eagle set forth on its long road to recovery. By the 1990s, eagle populations soared to more than 5,000 breeding pairs. Finally in 2007, after a supportive effort from numerous conservation initiatives from around the nation, the bald eagle was removed from the Endangered Species list.

The bald eagle has seen a remarkable population

rebound, as stringent protections continue to exist today. While the fight for freedom continues - due to the ever present threat of human encroachment on habitat and the introduction of new toxins– we can be proud of the concerted effort that has brought back our national emblem from the brink of extinction.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo is home to three rehabilitated bald eagles – each unable to be released back into the wild as a result of wing injuries leaving them unable to fly. The Zoo’s bald eagles are animal ambassadors for their species and teach visitors about the importance of conservation.

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It’s the year 1800 and some 50 million American bison free-roam the Great Plains and much of North America. Fast forward to the year1880, and less than 1,000 wild bison remain. A largely celebrated symbol of the American West, the species was driven to the nearbrink of extinction due to unregulated hunting, wholesale slaughter, and habitat destruction.

Populations’ completely decimated, no other species on Earth had ever declined so quickly. As aresult, in 1905 the American Bison Society (ABS) was formed at New York’s Bronx Zoo. Foundedby conservationist and sportsman, William T. Hornaday and US President Theodore Roosevelt, thesociety was created to protect bison from the grasp of extinction and raise public awareness.

ABS took on the conservation initiative to restore populations by breeding wild bison in captivity andreleasing them in their natural habitat. The original offspring of these bison were distributed to Wind

Cave National Park, where thousands of their relatives roam today.

At present, approximately 400,000 commercial bison herds liveacross the United States where they are raised for their meat.Although their numbers have rebounded somewhat, thewild bison population is now less than one percent ofwhat it once was. Today North America is home to fewerthan 30,000 wild bison in conservation herds.

The continued survival of these wild herd populations is affected by numerous factors,including loss of habitat, disease, and hunting. Thanks to the work of the World WildlifeFoundation and several Native American tribes, conservation initiatives continue to workhard to save the American bison.

The Roger WilliamsPark Zoo is home tothree female Americanbison: Clementine,Thelma and Nutmeg.

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The wild turkey is a recognizable bird seen roaming through backyards and on the sides of roads, and a close relative to the bird that may grace your Thanksgiving table. Today estimates are that more than six million wild turkeys in the United States inhabit close to 715 million acres. Yet, this same species was once almost extinct!

In the early 1900s, wild turkeys were nearly wiped out due to hunting, habitat destruction, and widespread logging. By the early 1930s, the bird hit its lowest recorded number nationwide with only about 30,000 left in the wild. At that time, no game laws existed to prevent overhunting; meanwhile hundreds of acres of forests were cleared to make way for logging and agriculture.

As the population numbers continued to plummet, in many states, the bird vanished entirely. Luckily, thanks to efforts of conservationists and groups like the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), turkey numbers were able to make a rebound. Working closely with state and federal agencies, conservation initiatives were put in place to ensure a full restoration of the bird species.

Implementation of hunting seasons and species-specific protocols began protecting the birds from unregulated hunting. Forests that had been chopped down, began to grow back, creating habitats for turkeys and other wildlife

to flourish. And with the help

of NWTF, a wild turkey

reintroduction effort was established. By trapping and transferring turkeys throughout its native range, new flocks began to thrive in areas that had once seen significant declines.

The restoration of the wild turkey is a great success of wildlife management in America. Today and throughout history, conservationists play a

vital role in the recovery of species across the country. At a time when rampant hunting and deforestation offered little hope for the turkey’s future, conservation and preservation brought the species back from the brink of extinction.

This success story proves

what kind of positive impact people can have on the environment, wildlife and each other. The return of the wild turkey is a guide in restoring other wildlife. Human beings depend on nature – and by contributing to the conservation of earth’s animals, plants, and other natural resources – people are not just saving their home, but each other.

A flock of wild turkeys roam alongside the pronghorn located in Roger Williams Park Zoo’s North American exhibit.

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