Bald eagle breeding area in Arizona forest to close for season

PHOENIX – A bald eagle breeding area in an Arizona national forest will close for seven months starting Sunday, officials said.

The closure in Prescott National Forest stretches two miles south of Camp Verde along the Verde River to Sycamore Canyon, spokeswoman Debbie Maneely said in a press release.

The Ladders area will be closed through June 30, 2020, when fledgings have become more self-sufficient, but it could open sooner if the birds have trouble producing offspring.

The yearly blockade is put in place to decrease people disturbing the birds during nesting season. Such interference could lead to the birds abandoning eggs and loss of nestlings.

(U.S. Forest Service)

The bald eagle, which has been the national bird since 1782, almost went extinct and was added to the endangered species list in 1967.

Conservation efforts proved successful and the bird was removed from the list in 2007.

Signs posted along the river will warn rafters not to stop in the area.

Violators face a fine of up to $500, imprisonment up to six months or both.

Eagle watchers will monitor the birds’ activities.

Forest officials will also close an area along John’s Tank Trail east of Lynx Lake during nesting season.

TEMPORARY TRAIL CLOSURE: New Prohibitions in Effect for Trail East Of Lynx Lake for the Protection of Nesting Bald Eagles https://t.co/ZOa5VNhr8F pic.twitter.com/0LEyk1g9if

— Prescott NF (@PrescottNF) November 26, 2019

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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