Three Ohio raptors are removed from state's endangered species list

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COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Wildlife Council approved the change in status of three Ohio raptors from endangered to threatened last week, evidence of the success of statewide restoration and conservation efforts.

The numbers of bald eagles, osprey and peregrine falcons continue to grow in Ohio, thanks to restoration and conservation efforts by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and its partners.

Bald eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey will continue to be federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The bald eagle will have additional protection under the Bald Eagle and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Killing any threatened or endangered species can result in a significant criminal charge and fines.

Ohio adopted its first list of endangered wildlife in 1974, listing 71 species. An extensive examination of the list is conducted every five years. Wildlife officials solicited comments from more than 100 research biologists, noted professional and amateur wildlife experts and academics before proposing the current de-listing.

Ohio's current list includes six categories of classification, encompassing 352 species. The categories are: endangered, 128 species; threatened, 47 species; species of concern, 93 species; special interest, 41 species; extirpated, 34 species; and extinct, 9 species.