On Endangered Species Day, and in alignment with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums:
The National Aviary works to save birds and protect their habitats. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been crucial to helping preserve the habitats of declining animal populations; we see that in Pittsburgh particularly with the resurgence of Bald Eagles; a species once at risk for extinction. The ESA allowed for the designation of “critical habitats,” which are areas considered essential to the conservation of species. The ESA also defines the legal framework for state and local organizations to keep these habitats, and in turn, Bald Eagles, well-protected.
The Three Rivers clean-up efforts enacted by the ESA allowed for our national bird, the Bald Eagle, to resume nesting along the Pittsburgh waterfront, and ultimately, being moved off of the Endangered Species list by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This successful downlisting has only been made possible with shared, sustained efforts at keeping their wild habitats healthy and safe.
We continue to look to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which we are proudly accredited by, to lead these next steps with the federal government in the hopes of continuing such shared, sustained efforts of keeping wild habitats healthy and safe. AZA has recently submitted a public letter highlighting the importance of preserving wild habitats to help save Endangered Species. We support this letter and stand by the AZA.
If you wish to leave a comment addressing this proposed rule change during this public period, you can do so at:
https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0034-0001
or
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/17/2025-06746/rescinding-the-definition-of-harm-under-the-endangered-species-act#open-comment