TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey’s bald eagle population is slightly down from two years ago, and state officials blamed spreading bird flu for the drop.
A new report from the New Jersey Department of Protection found there were 251 active bald eagle nests producing eggs statewide last year. It’s a five percent reduction from the 265 active nests found in 2024.
State officials with the DEP said it’s taken years to bring bald eagles back from the brink of extinction, and the slight reduction is a reminder that efforts to protect them must be steadfast so future generations can continue to admire the birds.
While the Canada geese were most affected by the bird flu outbreak, fish and wildlife officials said half of the 56 dead bald eagles found were killed by bird flu, which they said is an unusually high percentage.
The DEP is encouraging people to report any threats to eagle’s nests that they see to 877-WARNDEP.
