Teacher Information!
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Necessary materials:
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PowerPoint Guide
Endangered Species
Fish and Wildlife Resources
Teacher-Led Activity—
Endangered Species
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Give students a few minutes to list
endangered/threatened/extinct species in North
America and/or Idaho
Ask students:
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Are most of these species fish, reptiles, birds or
mammals? How about plants?
What kinds of species seem to get the most attention?
Why might that be?
Students will be able to…
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Define wildlife and related terms
Discuss various endangered species
What is
Wildlife?
What is wildlife?
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Endangered Species Act (1966): Any member
of the Animal Kingdom.
Generally, “wildlife” includes mammals,
birds, and fish.
Is wildlife a renewable resource?
What are the differences between extinct,
endangered, and threatened species of wildlife?
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Passenger pigeon—extinct in 1914
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Carolina parakeet—extinct in 1918
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Extinction—Complete disappearance of a species
from earth.
What are the differences between extinct,
endangered, and threatened species of wildlife?
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Functionally extinct
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Very few breeding pairs
population cannot sustain itself
South China tiger— < 20 individuals in wild
Ivory-billed woodpecker??
What are the differences between extinct,
endangered, and threatened species of wildlife?
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Sockeye salmon—endangered in ID, threatened in WA
Endangered
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A species with very few individuals
May soon go extinct
What are the differences between extinct,
endangered, and threatened species of wildlife?
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Canada lynx—threatened
Threatened
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A species abundant in most of its natural range
With declining numbers it may be vulnerable to extinction
What are delisted species of wildlife?
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Bald eagle—delisted in 2007, threatened in some areas
Gray wolf—delisted in 2009, threatened in MN
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Delisted—removal from the Endangered Species List
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Different populations of a species can have different statuses
Review
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Can you define wildlife?
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Please explain differences between extinct,
threatened, and endangered species of wildlife.
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Can you discuss various endangered species?
Homework: What is the ESA?
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Read “The Endangered Species Act—Protecting Marine
Resources” factsheet
Answer the following questions
 What is the purpose of the ESA?
 How many species are listed under the ESA?
 What is a “take?”
 Who enforces the ESA?
 What is a “sentinel” species?
Image Sources
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www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/indian.html
www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/australian-wildlife.html
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/07twilightzone/logs/may23/me
dia/sponges_galore.html
www.michiganfilmoffice.org/Experience-Michigan/AboutMichigan/Default.aspx
www.proteinpower.com/drmd_blog/?p=255