Bald eagles in WNC: Numbers rebound, with most counties having nesting pairs
Special to the Times-News/USFWS
ASHEVILLE - With 32 nests discovered over the past 16 years, bald eagles are more common in Western North Carolina than they have been in decades, providing a thrill for those fortunate enough to see them and a challenge to keep that positive trend going.
For years, bald eagle populations struggled with habitat loss and chemical contamination, leading to a string of conservation efforts.
In 1940, Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act, prohibiting the selling, killing or possession of any part (feathers, talons, etc.) of the bird. The law was amended to include golden eagles, and is still in effect.