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More Bald Eagles In Hopkins County

By AP

Madisonville, KY – The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources reports two breeding pairs of bald eagles confirmed in Hopkins County last year have now apparently been joined by a third pair.
Madisonville Community College assistant biology professor Susan Moss says the pasticide DDT and over-hunting reduced the eagles' numbers dramatically in the 1950's through the 70's. She says the eagles were officially endangered for a while in the lower 48 states, but have made a recovery and have been upgraded to threatened status.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed removing the national bird from the endangered species list. It would still be protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
A first offense of shooting a bald eagle is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and a year in federal prison.