The Return of Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands: A Conservation Triumph
The bald eagles, Jackie and Shadow, from Big Bear have been receiving wonderful national and even international attention. They are some of the most watched bald eagles in the world with over 50,000+ viewers tuning in at any given time, watching the parents tend to their 2 new chicks. And it has been a week full of drama, loss and triumphs after a big storm hit Big Bear last Thurs/Friday causing one of the chicks to perish.
But we have our own rockstars of bald eagles on the Channel Islands, with 2 eagle cams in the CINP on Santa Cruz Island.
Once wiped out from the Channel Islands due to DDT pollution and habitat loss, bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback thanks to decades of conservation efforts. Their return is a testament to the power of science, persistence, and environmental stewardship.
In the mid-20th century, widespread use of the pesticide DDT caused eggshell thinning in birds of prey, leading to the disappearance of
bald eagles from the Channel Islands by the late 1950s. However, in the early 2000s, conservationists and biologists launched an ambitious reintroduction program, releasing 61 young eagles raised in captivity from 2002-2006, all on Santa Cruz Island. As the environment recovered and DDT levels declined, these efforts bore fruit. Watch the 14-minute film, ‘Return Flight: Restoring the Bald Eagle to the Channel Islands.’
Today, 50 + bald eagles are once again soaring over the Channel Islands, breeding successfully and playing a crucial role in the island ecosystem. Their presence is not just symbolic but also vital—helping restore natural ecological balance. Their comeback story serves as a beacon of hope, proving that with dedication and science-based action, we can reverse even the most devastating environmental damage.
And so far in this nesting season, Audacity and Jak, from the Sauces nest, have welcomed their first chick in 4 years. This new fluff ball hatched on Friday March 14th.
Cruz, the female at the Fraser nest, was the first bald eagle who successfully fledged in 2006 after the absence of bald eagles on the islands for over 50 years. She and her mate, Andor, are incubating 2 eggs and the eggs should start pipping very soon.
The bald eagle’s return to the Channel Islands is a conservation victory worth celebrating thanks to Peter Sharp and the Institute of Wildlife Studies’ team working with CINP, TNC and other agencies. What an important reminder of our responsibility to protect and restore the wild places we cherish and love.
Submitted by Holly Lohuis