"When it comes to charismatic species, the bald eagle trumps them all. As the nation's national symbol, this bird has an undeniable emotional appeal. Arizona's bald eagles are no different in that respect - they inspire deep emotions.

Ironically, the future of these desert birds may depend on getting them recognized as different enough from eagles in the other 47 contiguous states so they can get the special protection bald eagles elsewhere no longer have.

Biologists have argued that Arizona's bald eagles deserve special protection, because they are isolated in their desert habitat and have adapted to hardships in specific ways. Yet it took a court challenge to prevent desert eagles from being delisted in 2007 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that bald eagles nationwide had recovered enough to no longer require protection. A U.S. District Court judge told the service to take another look."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Our bald eagles deserve further U.S. protection (The Arizona Republic 10/18)

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