Chapter 4: Back from the Brink.

EXTINCT birds; WILDLIFE recovery; ENDANGERED species; BALD eagle; PEREGRINE falcon; DDT (Insecticide); REHABILITATION centers

The article focuses on the efforts of scientists and government agencies to protect birds that are on the edge of extinction. In 1782, the bald eagle became the national bird of the U.S. Two hundred years later, the bald eagle was endangered. Several efforts were begun to save the bald eagle. One was the captive-breeding program organized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In many states, rehabilitation centers were established. The spraying of insecticides such as DDT had brought the peregrine falcon very close to extinction. Peregrine falcons are carefully monitored all over the U.S.