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The bald eagles on Catalina Island cannot successfully hatch their eggs because the high levels of DDTs in the eggs cause them to break in the nest. To improve the hatching success, biologists monitor the nests, and once an egg is laid, take the egg from the nest.

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The bald eagles on Catalina Island cannot successfully hatch their eggs because the high levels of DDTs in the eggs cause them to break in the nest. To improve the hatching success, biologists monitor the nests, and once an egg is laid, take the egg from the nest. Some of the nests are on high rocks that are inaccessible on foot. This photo is of a biologist hanging from a line attached to the helicopter. The helicopter approaches the nest and allows the biologist (Peter Sharpe, Institute for Wildlife Studies) access to the nest to remove the freshly laid bald eagle egg. (Photo used with permission, D. Sharpe, 2001)