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  2. Adopt a Species
  3. Adopt a Bald Eagle
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Adopt a Bald Eagle

bald eagle

The recovery of the bald eagle from near extinction stands as a crowning achievement of conservation efforts in the United States. 

When the bald eagle was chosen as our national symbol in 1782, there were an estimated 25,000 to 75,000 of these birds nesting in the lower 48 states. By the 1950s, there were an estimated 412 nesting pairs. In 1967 the bald eagle was declared an endangered species. As a result of legal protection and reintroduction programs, the species rebounded. In 1980, there were an estimated 100,000 eagles living in the contiguous U.S., Canada and Alaska.

While habitat loss still threatens the bald eagle, the wild population is thriving and has since been removed from the endangered species list.

Adopt a bald eagle to support Friends of the National Zoo and help the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute save species.

Adopt Package Options

Packages at this level include:

  • Matted replica animal track print (not available for bald eagle, California sea lion, or golden lion tamarin)
  • Personalized certificate
  • 5-inch by 7-inch photo
  • Fact sheet

Shipping is free! Adopt packages ship anywhere within the contiguous U.S. (excludes PR, AK, HI and APO/DPO)

Have a question about an Adopt package? contact us.

Please note that Adopt packages do not include a FONZ membership. Interested in becoming a member? Join FONZ today!

Packages at this level are shipped in an animal carrier box and include:

  • 12-inch stuffed animal
  • Personalized certificate
  • 5-inch by 7-inch photo
  • Fact sheet

Shipping is free! Adopt packages ship anywhere within the contiguous U.S. (excludes PR, AK, HI and APO/DPO)

Have a question about an Adopt package? contact us.

Please note that Adopt packages do not include a FONZ membership. Interested in becoming a member? Join FONZ today!

Packages at this level are shipped in an animal carrier box and include:

  • 12-inch stuffed animal
  • Matted replica animal track print (not available for bald eagle, California sea lion, or golden lion tamarin)
  • Personalized certificate
  • 5-inch by 7-inch photo
  • Fact sheet

Shipping is free! Adopt packages ship anywhere within the contiguous U.S. (excludes PR, AK, HI and APO/DPO)

Have a question about an Adopt package? contact us.

Please note that Adopt packages do not include a FONZ membership. Interested in becoming a member? Join FONZ today!

Packages at this level are shipped in an animal carrier box and include:

  • Private meet-a-keeper tour (subject to availability)
  • 12-inch stuffed animal
  • Matted replica animal track print (not available for bald eagle, California sea lion, or golden lion tamarin)
  • Personalized certificate
  • 5-inch by 7-inch photo
  • Fact sheet

Shipping is free! Adopt packages ship anywhere within the contiguous U.S. (excludes PR, AK, HI and APO/DPO)

Have a question about an Adopt package? contact us.

Please note that Adopt packages do not include a FONZ membership. Interested in becoming a member? Join FONZ today!

Other Adoptable Species