NJ removes eagle, osprey from endangered species list

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) - There is a rescued bald eagle who lives at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, New Jersey, named "Freedom." His name mirrors the principle our nation holds most dear. Now, his name can take on another meaning: freedom from being an endangered species.

"I can't think of a better symbol of resilience for our country," said Margaret Waldock, the executive director of Duke Farms.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) announced this week the bald eagle and the osprey have officially been removed from the state's list of endangered species.

"I think everybody should be really proud of the accomplishments of everybody involved to ensure this species remains in New Jersey," said Waldock. 

Located in Hillsborough, Duke Farms is home to a breeding pair of the mighty birds and their eaglets, who have been made famous by their live nest camera. While their birds have a comfortable home along the Raritan River, there was a time not all too long ago that eagles nearly disappeared.

"Decades ago there was one breeding pair of eagles left in the entire State of New Jersey, down in South Jersey," said Waldock. "It was a real wake-up call and sort of dire circumstances with regard to the species we came very close to losing."

Fast forward to today, there are nearly 300 breeding pairs of eagles all over the Garden State. Officials said this moment is the result of decades of action.

"Getting rid of DDT, the synthetic insecticide that had lasting implications on the food chain," said NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. "That was an incredible step forward over the last several decades."

Though it's notched as a major victory for conservation, officials said the work is far from over; the eagle and the osprey will still be protected species. And while they were removed from the list, 30 other species were added to it.

"[It] really highlights the responsibility and the opportunity we all have to work together and to make stories like this the norm rather than the exception."