We chose this photo of a peregrine falcon—a female, walking across the rail of a balcony in Chicago—to inspire hope on Endangered Species Day. Not every animal listed as endangered is doomed to extinction. Peregrine populations were decimated by the use of pesticides, such as DDT, in the mid-20th century. The chemicals accumulated in the birds’ bodies, causing weak eggshells and high mortality rates for chicks. But by the 1980s humans had learned the cause, reduced and eliminated the various chemicals, and helped the birds rebound with gusto.
It’s Endangered Species Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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The view will stop you in your tracks
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Celebrating Flag Day
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On the hunt
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Hues of Hokkaido
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Make way for robots
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World of WearableArt Awards
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Bringing the moon to Earth
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Fire-damaged forest near Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
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Dreaming of the Tyrrhenian Sea
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A star is borne by seaweed
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A species no longer at risk
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Celebrating Pie Day is as easy as, well…
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St. Paul Winter Carnival
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Silver-studded blue butterflies
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Arambol Beach, Goa, India
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The last thing seen by Wile E. Coyote
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Dark skies over New Mexico
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Where is this wintry road?
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Fin whales: A success story
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Arches National Park, Utah
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Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
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Santo Antão Island in the Republic of Cabo Verde
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An icy extravaganza
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Celebrating Madagascar on its Independence Day
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Hyalite Creek at Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana
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A house of grand scale(s)
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Sitka shines on Alaska Day
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Observing World Braille Day in Bavaria
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Protecting endangered giants
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New Year s Day