AZ population of Bald Eagles off the endangered species list

In September 2011, the population of Sonoran Desert-nesting Bald Eagles was removed from the federal endangered species list. State & Tribal Wildlife Grants (SWG) funded surveys that helped demonstrate that the listing was unwarranted. Due to the investment in SWG, litigants were persuaded to withdraw their petition for an emergency injunction to re-list the population as threatened.

In 2008, as a result of litigation, that population of eagles was not delisted pending the outcome of a status review and 12-month finding. In 2010, the 12-month finding determined that the population did not qualify as a distinct population segment and, therefore, could not remain listed.

The Bald Eagles nesting in the Sonoran Desert are now protected with all other Bald Eagles under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department leads the Conservation Assessment and Strategy to manage and monitor the Bald Eagle.

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