
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 24, 1994                   TAG: 9404240102
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: associated press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ENDANGERED SPECIES ESCAPED EXTINCTION

The bald eagle is among about 600 species - the number frequently changes - listed by the federal government as endangered. Another 180 or so are listed as threatened. Here are some success stories:

American alligator. Removed from the list after the government successfully reduced the number captured for meat and leather products.

California condor. A captive breeding program increased the number of these huge birds from 27 captive condors in 1987 to about 75 today, including about nine in the wild. They still are listed as endangered.

Black-footed ferret. Once thought to be extinct, these small mammals were rediscovered near Meeteetse, Wyo., several years ago. A captive colony was formed from seven survivors and they now number more than 400, including a few that have been successfully released into the wild. Black-footed ferrets still are listed as endangered.

Southern sea otter. The population of these otters off the California coast has nearly doubled in the past decade and now stands at more than 2,100. They now are listed as threatened. - Associated Press

by CNB