The peregrine falcon is an excellent example of a species that has come back from near extinction.

The peregrine falcon is an excellent example of a species that has come back from near extinction.

At last count there were 1650 breeding pairs in the US and Canada.

Peregrine falcons almost became extinct because of the deadly pesticide DDT, which entered the birds' bodies through their food.

Peregrine falcons hunt and kill other animals, such as doves, ducks and other birds. These birds preyed on insects, which had been killed by DDT. This is how the poison entered their bodies.

The DDT caused the females to lay eggs with very thin shells. When the birds sat on the eggs the shells collapsed and the unhatched chicks died.

In the 70s the US and other countries banned the use of DDT, and this helped the peregrine falcon to claw its way back from near extinction.

- Where have all the Pandas Gone?, Melvin and Gilder Berger