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ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) -- Several climbing routes in Zion National Park will be closed for months to protect nesting peregrine falcons.
Park officials say 11 cliffs will close to climbing starting March 1.
The park is home to a high concentration of breeding peregrine falcons each spring and summer. The falcons, once federally protected, were taken off the endangered species list in 1999.
The falcons like to nest and raise their young in Zion's tall cliffs. The park regularly closes cliff climbing routes to protect the young falcons.
Biologists will monitor the birds' activities. Cliffs that aren't being used this year will reopen in May. Those that are hosting fledgling falcons will likely stay closed until midsummer.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
