Conservation of Endangered Species

The first federal policy for the protection of endangered species was the Endangered Species Preservation Act, passed in 1966. This act was replaced in 1969 with the Endangered Species Conservation Act, which acted to strengthen the legislation. Finally, in 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed. This act was recently reauthorized.

The responsibility for the management of endangered species in terrestrial and freshwater habitats falls on the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior. For marine species, responsibility lies with with the National Marine Fisheries Service of the Department of Commerce.

What is an endangered species?

One that is in danger of extinction throughout all or

a significant portion of their range.

What is a threatened species?

One that is likely to become endangered within the

forseeable future.

Note: the term species is not interpreted biologically.

The Federal list of endangered and threatened species in 1995 contained about 1525 forms representing 962 biological species.

What is a minimum viable population?

The smallest number of breeding individuals that has a specified probability of surviving for a certain time, without losing its evolutionary adaptability.

Endangered Species Top Ten List!

According to the World Wildlife Federation, these are the ten most endangered species on earth.

#10 – The mako shark

#9 – Green-cheeked parrot

# 8 – Big leaf mahogany

# 7 – Hawksbill Turtle

# 6 – Alligator Snapping Turtle

# 5 - Goldenseal

# 4 – Beluga sturgeon

# 3 - Tiger

# 2 – Giant panda

And, the number one endangered species on the whole dang planet is…………

The black rhinoceros

And, that’s all folks.