An Introduction to Endangered Animals

1. An Introduction to Endangered Animals ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

2. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

3. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

4. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

5. Some Endangered Animals in the United States American Crocodile Black-Footed Ferret Florida Panther Manatee ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

6. Some Endangered Animals Outside the U.S. Rhinoceros (Africa and Asia) Giant Panda (Asia) Armadillo (South America) Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo (Australia) ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

7. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

8. 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! ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

9. 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 ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

10. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

11. Self-Check There are over 1000 animal species protected by the Endangered Species Act. True False ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

12. Self-Check CORRECT! As of May 31, 2000, there were 1051 animal species that were protected by the Endangered Species Act. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

13. Self-Check Self-Check The Rhinoceros and the Giant Panda are both listed as Endangered animals in the continent of Asia. True False ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

14. Self-Check CORRECT! The Rhinoceros is listed as Endangered in both Africa and Asia and the Giant Panda is Endangered in Asia. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

15. 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 ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

16. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

17. 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>. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check

18. 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. ESA Animals Bald Eagle Your Help Self Check