What is an Endangered Species?

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was made law in 1973. It was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. This law protects animals (including invertebrates) and plants from becoming extinct.

There are two government groups responsible for enforcing the law: the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the NOAA Fisheries. The FWS is responsible for freshwater fish and other animals. The NOAA Fisheries is responsible for ocean species.

There are two levels within the ESA. Animals can be listed as "threatened" or "endangered." Threatened means that the species is vulnerable to becoming extinct soon. Endangered means that the species is at immediate risk to become extinct. When a species is endangered, there are usually very few of that animal left on Earth. For example, the Florida manatee is endangered. There are only about 2,019 of them left on Earth. We hope that their population will grow because they are protected.

In other countries, there are similar laws to protect animals in danger of being extinct. For example, there are only about 4000 Bengal Tigers alive right now. About 30 years ago, there were only about 1800 Bengal Tigers alive right now, so hopefully, their population will continue to grow because they are protected as endangered species.