An endangered animal is an animal in danger of becoming extinct. In the end not one of the species would still be alive. Scientists use endangered animals to categorize which animals to track there risk of being extinct. There are three levels of endangered animals. 1) Vulnerable 2) Endangered 3) Critically endangered - The most endangered
HOW DO WE PROTECT ENDANGERED ANIMALS?
Countries throughout the world use laws to protect endangered species. It is usually considered a crime. In the United states we use laws in the Endangered species act to protect these animals. President Nixon in 1973 signed these laws. The laws protect not only the animal but the habitat too. Recovery plans are also used to help recover the animals. The main two agencies used to enforce these laws are the United States Fish and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Through the whole world there are also wildlife and nature preserves. These are used to protect large areas of land where the animals live. Development and hunting is limited or illegal on these areas. Some animals are captive so they can stay healthy and alive and be studied. The studying is sometimes used to learn about what may be affecting population and how to solve this problem. Scientist can sometimes study and save a specie from extinction.
HOW DOES AN ANIMAL BECOME ENDANGERED?
There are three steps that determine whether an animal is endangered or threatened. 1. The public, Fish and Wildlife Service, governmental agencies or biologists, propose an animal they believe are endangered or threatened. 2. The public is allowed the opportunity to comment of the proposal and whether or whether not the species is endangered or threatened. The ruled is finalized or withdrawn. 3. The Fish and Wildlife Service selects to either list the animal or not.
WHY SHOULD WE PROTECT ENDANGERED ANIMALS? A healthy species means a healthy environment and a healthy environment means a healthy environment surrounding our homes. Some plants and wildlife are the sources of our medicine and food. Animals that are not currently a source of food or medicine may be in the future which makes it important for us to keep them healthy. Endangered animals can help show us what is changing in the environment. Large changes in the environment have large impact in not only animals but us humans health and safety, too.
WHAT IS THE ESA The ESA stands for Endangered Species Act. When the ESA first started it was called the Endangered Species Preservation Act. The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 had a list that was made of endangered species and money to fund the purchases of habitats for the protection of the listed species. The act required the Fish and Wildlife Service to spend money of the listed animals. The main problem with the Endangered Species Preservation Act is that there were no laws or regulation that protect the trading or killing of the endangered animals. The result of the problem was that the listed animals still faced a possibility of going extinct and congress had no guidelines to protect them. In 1969 the Endangered Species Conservation act added the protection of endangered species and threatened animals. They added a list for foreign species and native species. The Act of 1969 also did not let foreign species to be brought in to the US. The Act in 1973 recognized that fact the endangered species need protection worldwide. The Act also recognized these species could be a valuable educational, scientific, recreational, historical and estetical. Congress felt that this act should protect the habitats the species live in. Two categories were established to classify and help set up conservation programs for the species with the possibility of extinction. One category is Endangered. Endangered applies to any species that is in risk of becoming extinct. The other category is Threatened. This category is for species that are likely going to become extinct or in the near future. The Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service now are in responsibility of the Endangered Species act.