Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Wednesday 28 June 2017

Fourth of July fireworks discouraged for sake of bald eagles

By PAT EATON-ROBB
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, Conn. (AP) —
Independence Day tra-
ditions in one small Con-
necticut town are clashing
with an effort to protect an
iconic symbol of the United
States.
Authorities in Columbia are
asking residents this year to
forgo shooting off fireworks
for the sake of a family of
bald eagles.
Last summer, a pair of ea-
gles became the first to
call Columbia Lake home
since the species returned
to the state in 1992.
This spring, an eaglet ap-
peared in the nest, which is
located about 100 feet (30
meters) up in a tree.
The bird is not yet old
enough to fly and Brian
Hess, a wildlife biologist
with the state Department
of Energy and Environmen-
tal Protection, said there
is a real concern that the
noise of fireworks could be
enough to scare the ea-
glet out of the nest before
it is ready. This 2017 photo provided by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shows a baby bald eagle in a
nest in a tree in Columbia, Conn.
“Eagles and fireworks Associated Press
are both sort of this great
American tradition,” he the birds to leave the area There is no official fire- wealthy New Englanders. state laws because of their
said. “But I can’t think of for good. Eagles, which works display in Columbia, “It’s similar to many towns unique status as a symbol
a more perfectly startling mate for life, normally re- but Mark Walter, the town that have a lake,” he said. of the nation, Hess said.
thing than a firework.” turn to the same nesting administrator says illegal “The Fourth of July is a holi- Anyone found to have
The town has shared a let- site for years. displays are common, es- day that people celebrate set off fireworks leading to
ter from Hess urging resi- Hess said the eaglet should pecially at the 282-acre with fireworks.” harm would be prosecuted
dents to avoid shooting off be ready to fly in a couple (114-hectare) lake. It once Bald eagles, though no and could face fines and
fireworks during their Fourth of weeks. He said it likely will was a popular summer va- longer considered an en- jail time.
of July celebrations. stay with its parents through cation destination, but is dangered species, are “The DEEP will be available
Hess also is advising people August before heading out now a year-round home still threatened and are for dispatch if needed,”
not to visit the nest. Disturb- on its own. to many middle-class and protected by federal and Walter said.q
ing it, he said, could lead