2007年VOA标准英语-Eagles Again Flying High over America

By Paul Sisco
Washington, D.C.
29 June 2007
 

The American bald eagle, a national symbol since 1782, was once almost wiped out by hunters and pesticide¹ poisoning. Today the great bird is not only surviving but thriving. Four decades after it was declared endangered, the American bald eagle is off the Endangered Species List. VOA's Paul Sisco reports.

The American bald eagle

This is a momentous² week for America's bald eagles, and the legislation that has protected them. The country's national symbol is officially off the endangered species list.

Two hundred years ago upwards³ of a half million eagles soared across American skies -- serving as an apt symbol of freedom and expansion for a rapidly growing nation.

But by 1963 only 400 nesting pairs remained in the lower 48 states, due to loss of habitat, hunting and the use of pesticides⁴. The chemical DDT made eagle egg shells thin, resulting in nest loss. Congress eventually banned the dangerous pesticide and included the bald eagle on the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Now due to the protections the act provides, eagles are back in numbers sufficient to take them off the endangered species list.

"We're all excited about it. It is a great success story," says Deb Shaeffer of the National Audubon Society.

Ceremony at the Jefferson Memorial

It is a development so exciting that federal officials and environmentalists marked the occasion with a ceremony at the memorial in Washington, D.C. dedicated⁵ to the nation's third president, Thomas Jefferson.

"The eagle has returned,” said Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. “It is my honor to announce the Department of Interior's decision to remove the American Bald Eagle from the endangered species list."

Recovery programs across the United States, many run by volunteers, have been a big part of this success story.

John Aiken

John Aikin operates a breeding program at the San Francisco Zoo. "I know more about the birds in this state,” says Aikin. “There were about 38 nesting when we started the program. Today, there are more than 200, so they are doing much, much better."

And nationwide, after decades of conservation efforts, there are now some 10,000 nesting pairs -- a 25-fold increase in the last 40 years.

Young and old took part in the ceremony in Washington. So did special guest, Challenger, a rescued bald eagle used to educate the public and cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation.

"It's a big day, it's a long time coming and it's a big celebration,” says Foundation President Al Cecere. “It's taken over 30 years to protect the eagle. A lot of state, federal and private groups have been working coast to coast, all with passion and dedication⁶, so it's a great day. Hopefully our national bird will fly strong and free for future generations."

1 pesticide   

n.杀虫剂，农药

参考例句：

• The pesticide was spread over the vegetable plot.菜田里撒上了农药。
• This pesticide is diluted with water and applied directly to the fields.这种杀虫剂用水稀释后直接施用在田里。

2 momentous   

adj.重要的，重大的

参考例句：

• I am deeply honoured to be invited to this momentous occasion.能应邀出席如此重要的场合，我深感荣幸。
• The momentous news was that war had begun.重大的新闻是战争已经开始。

3 upwards   

adv.向上，在更高处...以上

参考例句：

• The trend of prices is still upwards.物价的趋向是仍在上涨。
• The smoke rose straight upwards.烟一直向上升。

4 pesticides   

n.杀虫剂( pesticide的名词复数 )；除害药物

参考例句：

• vegetables grown without the use of pesticides 未用杀虫剂种植的蔬菜
• There is a lot of concern over the amount of herbicides and pesticides used in farming. 人们对农业上灭草剂和杀虫剂的用量非常担忧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

6 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。