An Introduction to
Endangered Animals
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Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed in 1973 to
protect both plant and animal species that are at risk for
becoming extinct. Species are protected under the ESA are
classified as "Endangered" or "Threatened," depending on
how many are left in the wild and how bad their survival is
threatened. An Endangered species is one that is in danger of
becoming extinct in large portion of the areas where it lives.
Threatened species are those that are likely to become
Endangered in the foreseeable future.
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Listing Species
For a species to be put on the ESA’s list, the US Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) has a few steps it needs to
follow.
1. When a species is proposed to be listed as Threatened or Endangered, the FWS
announces the proposal in the Federal Register, a publication of the US government.
2. The public then comments on the proposal for a certain period of time and lets the
FWS know whether they agree or disagree with the proposal.
3. Finally, the FWS decides whether to approve, revise or withdraw the proposal.
This same process is used when it is proposed that a species be taken off the list
(delisting) or reclassified. A species is proposed for delisting when it appears to have
recovered enough to no longer need protection under the ESA. A species is proposed
for reclassification if the status of the species worsens or if it improves. The process
of listing, delisting or reclassifying a species can take a year or longer.
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Number of Endangered
Animals
As of May 31, 2000, there were 1051 animal species that
were protected by the Endangered Species Act. 368 animals
are listed as Endangered in the US and 518 are listed as
Endangered in other countries. In addition, 128 animals are
Threatened in the United States and 37 in foreign countries.
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Some Endangered Animals in
the United States
American Crocodile
Black-Footed Ferret
Florida Panther
Manatee
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Some Endangered Animals
Outside the U.S.
Rhinoceros
(Africa and Asia)
Giant Panda
(Asia)
Armadillo
(South America)
Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo
(Australia)
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The Bald Eagle
The bald eagle became our national symbol in 1782. However, during the 19th
and 20th centuries, they were shot as pests or threats to livestock and as
America's wilderness disappeared, so did their habitat. Dangerous pesticides
(DDT) that were being sprayed after World War II decreased the eagle
populations even more. Then, in 1967, bald eagles became a protected species
under the Endangered Species Preservation Act, which came before the ESA.
Citizens became worried about the extinction
and made efforts in conservation. In 1972,
most uses of DDT were banned. This was
followed by efforts to protect habitats and
reintroduce the birds throughout their former
areas. Finally, in July of 1995, the bald eagle
was officially reclassified from Endangered to
Threatened status throughout the nation.
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What Can You Do?
The bald
eagle is proof
that
conservation
efforts work
and that we
really can
save species,
habitats, and
ecosystems if
we have the
will.
From the U.S. World Wildlife Fund website “Pennies for the Planet”…
5 Ways Kids Can Help Save The World (which means saving animal habitats)
• Collecting Cans: Bear Cub Scouts from Pack 168 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, raised $35 for
“Pennies” by collecting aluminum cans. For six months, the pack collected, rinsed out, stomped, and
recycled a total of 2,040 cans. In the process of keeping the cans from being added to a trash heap,
the 8-year-olds also benefited from a tour of the recycling center and learned how the raw materials
salvaged from the recycling process were used.
• Passing on Presents: Twins Abigail and Emily of Hamden, Connecticut, asked guests at their
seventh birthday party to contribute half of what they would have spent on gifts to the “Pennies”
campaign. By making a small sacrifice, Abigail and Emily were able to make a big contribution--a
check for $200.
• Festival of Fun(draising): Martha, a third grader from Candia, New Hampshire, put together a
Ranger Festival with crafts, games, and raffles. She created a sign that said, “Welcome to Martha’s
Ranger Festival! You can visit Asia, Africa, and North America. Don’t forget to get your passport
stamped.” Through her festival, Martha raised $151.85.
• Puppets for Pennies: First graders at the Floral Street Elementary School in Shrewsbury,
Massachusetts, created origami snap puppets and finger puppets that represented animals in the
featured “Pennies” ecoregions. Combined with pennies brought in by classmates and money earned
from a bake sale, the first-grade puppeteers raised $522.50.
• A-Plus Project: For her eighth-grade project, Elizabeth, from Portland, Oregon, coordinated a
fundraising dinner with proceeds going to the “Pennies” ecoregions. With attendance of 58 people,
she raised more than $1,000!
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Self-Check
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed in
1975 to protect only animal species that are at risk for
becoming extinct.
True
False
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Self-Check
CORRECT!
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was actually
passed in 1973 and protects both plant and animal
species that are at risk for becoming extinct.
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Self-Check
There are over 1000 animal species protected by the
Endangered Species Act.
True
False
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Self-Check
CORRECT!
As of May 31, 2000, there were 1051 animal species
that were protected by the Endangered Species Act.
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Self-Check
The Rhinoceros and the Giant Panda are both listed as
Endangered animals in the continent of Asia.
True
False
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Self-Check
CORRECT!
The Rhinoceros is listed as Endangered in both Africa
and Asia and the Giant Panda is Endangered in Asia.
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Self-Check
The bald eagle is proof that conservation efforts work
and that we can save species, habitats, and
ecosystems. Even the youngest of people can make a
difference by doing something as small as saving
money, cleaning up their community, or participating
in the WWF “Pennies for the Planet.”
True
False
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Self-Check
CORRECT!
Everyone can make a difference!!!!
“Pennies fot the Planet” is World Wildlife Fund's annual program
for kids, designed to educate about biodiversity and conservation.
Each year, the program focuses on a few global areas in need of
special attention. All contributions go directly to support projects
that protect the habitats and species living in those areas.
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Bibliography
Sources I used to complete this activity
AMNH: Expedition: Endangered! 1996. The American Museum of Natural History.
3 April 2003 <http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/Endangered/index.html>.
Pennies for the Planet 2002-2003. 2003. World Wildlife Fund. 3 April 2003
<http://www.worldwildlife.org/windows/pennies>.
Protection of Endangered Species. 2001. Defenders of Wildlife. 3 April 2003
<http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/esa.html>.
Kids' Planet ESPECIES Animal Fact Sheets. 2001. Defenders of Wildlife. 3 April 2003
< http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html>.
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References
Sources that students can use
Kids’ Planet. 2003. Defenders of Wildlife. 3 April 2003 <http://www.kidsplanet.org>.
Reference Resources: Endangered Animals. 2002. Linda Guterba. 3 April 2003
<http://www.kidinfo.com/science/Endangered_animals.html>.
Endangered Species Information. 2003. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 3 April 2003
<http://endangered.fws.gov/wildlife.html>.
Wexo, John Bonnett, et al. Endangered Animals. California: Zoobooks/Wildlife
Education, 2001.
Wright, Alexandra. Will We Miss Them?: Endangered Species. Massachusetts:
Charlesbridge Publishing, 1993.
National Wildlife Federation. Endangered Species: Wild and Rare. Ontario:
McGraw-Hill Trade, 1997.
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