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Bald Eagles Return to the Central Coast
In 2007, the Bald Eagle was taken off the endangered species list - an amazing success story! By protecting its habitat we can ensure its long-term survival without the assistance of the Endangered Species Act. Click image to enlarge.
Breeding Bald Eagles were absent for most of the last century in the Central California Coast region after the devastating affects of DDT brought the bird to near extinction. To restore wild eagles to their original habitat,Ventana Wildlife Society released a total of 66 Bald Eagle juveniles from 1986 to 1994 in Big Sur and an additional four in 1999 and 2000 at Lake San Antonio, Monterey County.
Due to the support of members, private foundations, and corporations, we were successful. After a nearly 60-year absence, the first Bald Eagle breeding territory was discovered in this region. See the chart showing the number of wild bald eagle chicks known to have successfully fledged each year since 1993.
Prior to Ventana's efforts, a resident breeding population was absent for 60 years. The Pacific States Bald Eagle Recovery Plan called for four breeding territories in the Central California Coast region which extends from San Francisco to Ventura, California.
Within the California Central Coast Region, the following counties now have breeding bald eagles: Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo. Thanks to the support of our sponsors and volunteers, the bald eagle is once again thriving in the central coast.
Our last release of bald eagles to the wild took place on June 10, 2000. This web site features an illustrated report on the eagle release and subsequent updates.
2007 Bald Eagle and California Condor Annual Report coming soon.