CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES SAVING THE ENDANGERED AMERICAN BALD EAGLE THERESE SHEA Britannica Educational Publishing IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROSEN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
4 AN AMERICAN SYMBOL Even if you have never seen a bald eagle up close you have probably seen one on money on a government building or on a state or national seal The bald eagle became the national bird of the United States in 1787 It was chosen by the Founding Fathers for several reasons It is the only kind of eagle that lives only in North America The bald eagle reflects the beauty of the country and is a The bald eagle is an important symbol of the United States It is on the presidential seal
5 Compare and Contrast Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey might be a better national bird than the bald eagle for its supposed courage How do the birds differ Which do you think serves as a better national symbol symbol of the strength and independence of the United States In the 1780s there were probably hundreds of thousands of bald eagles However by the mid-1900s hunters had killed many thousands Pollution and pesticides also killed eagles In the early 1960s fewer than 450 pairs were left Something had to be done to save the bald eagle AN AMERICAN SYMBOL Though bald eagles are fierce hunters themselves they could not defend themselves from the humans who hunted them
