Pittsburgh's Urban Wilderness

"The dramatic migration of wildlife into the city of Pittsburgh tells a tale of successful conservation and animal adaptation. Forty years ago, there hardly was a deer or turkey within city limits."

"Today, they literally walk in groups up city streets. Other forms of wildlife have followed."

"Bald eagles have been visiting Pittsburgh during the past few years. Last year, two adults and a juvenile wintered along the Allegheny."

"Their presence is testimony to a successful conservation effort. In 1980, only three pairs of eagles nested in the state, but between 1983 and 1989, the Pennsylvania Game Commission released numerous young eagles. Today, the state has more than 100 breeding pairs."

"Beth Fife, wildlife conservation officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission in this region, sees the presence of such animals as evidence that the rivers are cleaner. She cites river otters as an example."