BEIJING, Jun 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The U.S. national symbol, bald eagle, once belonged to the Endangered Species List, has not only survived but is thriving, according to media reports.

The Interior Department will announce on Thursday it is removing the bird from the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

In 1967 the bird was declared endangered because of wiping out by hunters and DDT poisoning (banned in 1972), when barely more than 400 breeding pairs were left in the continental United States.

It was designated as threatened in 1995, a less severe status than endangered that would not leave the bald eagle unprotected.

Federal law prohibits killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs. Bald eagles may not be disturbed, which means they may not be agitated or bothered to a degree that they are injured or that their normal breeding, feeding and sheltering behavior are substantially interfered with.

The current number of nesting pairs is at least 9,789, the wildlife service said on its Web site, crediting efforts by federal, state and local governments, conservation groups, corporations, native tribes and American individuals.

"This is a great conservation success story, one that shows the Endangered Species Act really works," said Michael Daulton of the National Audubon Society. "In addition to being our national symbol, the bald eagle is now a symbol of environmental stewardship as well."