Willowbrook Wildlife Center celebrates endangered species success

Visitors to Willowbrook Wildlife Center on Saturday learned about the history and intent of the law that has helped animals such as the bald eagle go from rare to relatively common — the federal Endangered Species Act.

The wildlife center, an animal rehabilitation and public education facility run by the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, celebrated the act’s 40th anniversary with a presentation by Naturalist Ron Skleney.

After explaining the history of legislation in the 1960s and 1970s that led to the Endangered Species Act, which he called “a natural evolution in conservation law,” Skleney led participants outside to see two formerly endangered animals: a peregrine falcon and a bald eagle.

“The bald eagle is such a fantastic success story,” Skleney said. “At one time it was very critically endangered, and now people don’t have to drive very far to see bald eagles in Illinois.”