This Big, Bald-Headed Bird Was Once Threatened, and Now Thriving

Once on the brink of extinction, the wood stork has recovered so greatly that United States wildlife officials are proposing that it be removed from the endangered species list.

“The proposed delisting of the wood stork is a significant milestone and a testament to the hard work by federal agencies, state and local governments, tribes, conservation organizations, and private citizens in protecting and restoring our most at-risk species,” says Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.

The wood stork’s growing population is partly things to the restoration of its habitat as well as to the implementation of the Endangered Species Act many decades ago. Even if the wood stork is soon delisted from the official endangered species list, officials assert it will remain protected under other laws and that a monitoring plan will be put in place.