Science

Brown Pelicans Recover from DDT, No longer Endangered

In the 1970s, a pesticide called DDT was used within the southern United States, where a lot of brown pelicans were located. Because of using DDT, these brown pelicans were declared endangered. Another reason for the brown pelicans to become endangered was the over hunting of its feathers. The last reason was the constant loss of its habitat due to pollution. In 1972, congress banned the use of DDT. This was the beginning of the recovery of the brown pelicans. Louisiana, long known as the "pelican state," the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish commissions jointly implemented a restoration project. As a result, a total of 1,276 young pelicans were captured in Florida and released at three sites in south eastern Louisiana during the 13 years of this project. Today, there are 650000 brown pelicans around the world. This article is important because if we take the same steps which they took to save the brown pelicans then we will be able to save other endangered species such as the Polar bears. The most interesting fact I found in this article is that while trying to save the brown pelicans, the Wild Life Refuge system was born. This system has now grown to 550 national wildlife refuges, many of which have played key roles in the recovery of the brown pelicans.