The Peregrine Falcon is making an epic comeback from extinction!
Like many species, the peregrine falcon was moved to the endangered species list prior to the restriction of DDT, which weakened the calcium content of eggs and thus dramatically decreased the percentage of falcons that survived until they hatched.
With pesticides more closely regulated now and captive breeding operations enormously successful, the peregrine falcon was removed from the endangered species list in 1999. Captive bred falcons are fed via a chute or a peregrine hand puppet (so as to prevent them from imprinting on the human trainers). Over time, feeding is reduced and the falcons are forced to learn to hunt before being fully released into the wild.