Early reports are saying that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will announce today that the Pacific population of the Brown Pelican is being removed from the endangered species list. The announcement will cap a remarkable comeback for this bird after it was driven to near extinction by the use of DDT. The government originally proposed the delisting  back in 2008. Although Audubon California supports the delisting, it is clear that the bird is not out of the woods quite yet, and further conservation and monitoring is necessary. Although the Brown Pelican population has increased substantially, much of its breeding grounds face near constant threat from human activity, particularly pollution risks such as oil and sewage spills. Moreover, the Brown Pelican needs fish to survive, which links the species to the continued health of marine fisheries. (photo by Glen Tepke)