Many laws help protect at-risk species including the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act. Some of these protect specific species, while others are focused on protecting habitat, too. In addition, states protect wildlife under their own endangered species or species of concern conservation laws. International treaties like the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora contain provisions for the protection of wildlife, including endangered species.
When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973, it recognized that our rich natural heritage is of "esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people." It further expressed concern that many of our nation's native plants and animals were in danger of becoming extinct.
The purpose of the ESA is to protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The USFWS has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while the responsibilities of NMFS are mainly marine wildlife such as whales and anadromous fish such as salmon.
Under the ESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened.
Find out which animals are listed under the ESA.
Find out which plants are listed under the ESA.
All species of plants and animals, except pest insects, are eligible for listing as endangered or threatened. For the purposes of the ESA, Congress defined species to include subspecies, varieties, and, for vertebrates, distinct population segments.
The ESA also makes government agencies responsible for protecting critical habitat of listed species. Critical habitats are specific areas that are:
