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, thats all folks.