As symbols of the freedom of the wilderness, bald eagles have the unique capacity to inspire people and foster in them a sympathetic attitude toward the needs of other threatened species  Clearly, without that sympathy and the political will it engenders, the needs of more obscure species will go unmet
The conservation needs of many obscure species can only be met by beginning with the conservation of this symbolic species, the bald eagle
Without increased public sympathy for conservation, the needs of many symbolic species will go unmet.