(Le Mars) — A group of nearly 100 people had the opportunity to learn more about America’s symbol, the bald eagle, during a program offered at the Plymouth County Historical Museum on Saturday afternoon. Kay Newman, the executive director of S.O.A.R. Saving Our Avian Resources says a combination of the use of D-D-T insecticide, and hunting, reduced the population of bald eagles which placed them on the endangered species list in the 1960’s.
Newman says since the 1960’s more studies and research has been performed on the bald eagle. Newman says the U-S banned the insecticide DDT which has helped with the population growth of bald eagles. However, she says bald eagles are making a bit of a comeback, but they still face many dangers.
The S.O.A.R. executive says what is adversely affecting eagles today is lead poisoning from both hunting and fishing.
She says eagles will prey on other animals that may have been shot by lead-based ammunition, and that is how they get the lead poisoning. Newman says the same thing happens with fishing, when anglers use lead sinkers, or lead based lures.
