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For Immediate Release
March 24, 2003
Sen. White: Famous
Peregrine Falcons Can Be Seen Live Online
Harrisburg -- The nesting activity of a pair of peregrine falcons that
nest near the state Capitol building can now be seen live online via the
website of state Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21).
Those interested in watching the falcons can link to
a live feed, and learn more about the birds by going to http://white.pasenategop.com.
"Peregrine falcons are the world's
fastest-flying birds, and the effort to bring them back from the brink of
extinction has been a wonderful story that we want to share with as many Pennsylvanians
as possible," said White, who chairs the Senate Environmental Resources and
Energy Committee.
"This is just about the time they
lay their eggs, so it's pretty exciting and educational," said White.
White said that cameras on the 15th floor of the
Rachel Carson State Office Building capture the images. In addition to the live video and audio
feed, the site also provides background and the history of the peregrine
falcons, videos, an online photo gallery and links to related sites.
Peregrine falcons disappeared from the Eastern
United States by the early 1960s due primarily to DDT contamination. DDT's ban
in 1972, coupled with a substantial reintroduction program conducted by the
Peregrine Fund protections provided by the federal Endangered Species Act,
paved the way for a strong recovery in recent years, White said.
More than 150 peregrine pairs were found nesting in
the Northeast by 1997. There were 10 active nest sites in Pennsylvania by 2000,
and the population continues to grow.
"It's not often that a state office building serves
as a nature show, and the Falconcam has proven quite popular
in recent years. I encourage the curious to check it out and
for teachers to consider making it part of an education
project."
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