FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Conservationists aren’t giving up their fight to keep the Sonoran Desert Bald Eagle on the Endangered Species List.
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Maricopa Audubon Society have filed a notice of their intent to sue the federal government. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the bird for the third time in May.
While the desert nesting bald eagle will still receive some protection, many worry its habitat will be vulnerable to intense water demand, cattle grazing and off road vehicle traffic. Robin Silver is a spokesman for the Center for Biological Diversity. He says the bird will not survive without well-funded human efforts.
"The specific threats that we still face is primarily habitat loss," Silver said. "Our rivers have changed a great deal. We now have dams. The loss of water in the river area is still a threat."
Currently there are about 200 Sonoran Desert Bald Eagles and 50 active nests, mostly in Arizona.