Endangered Means There’sStill Time

Definitions

EndangeredEndangered Species in immediate danger of becoming

extinct and needs protection to survive.

ThreatenedThreatened Species is likely to become endangered if

not protected

ExtinctExtinctSpecies species of plant or animal that is no longer living.

Extinct Species

Passenger Pigeon

Extinct Species

Dusky Seaside SparrowLast of these birds died in 1987

Sparrows lost their homes as marshes were destroyed

Endangered Species

An endangered species is one that is getting

close to extinction

Black Rhino of Africa

Gray wolves: endangered in most of the lower 48 states

Endangered Species

Threatened Species

Just a step behind endangered

Could become endangered without human intervention Green Sea Turtle

Poachers cut off ivory tusks to make carvings and sell them for money

African Elephant

Threatened Species

Ways That Species Become Endangered

Habitat loss

Unregulated or illegal killing or collection

Pesticides, pollution

Competition with other species

Disease

Predation

It is because of habitat loss that spotted owls are threatened

Habitat Loss

Different aged trees like this are perfect for owls nests, food, shelter and protection from

predators

Habitat Loss

Old growth forests were cut faster than they could regrow

Habitat Loss

The spotted owl is our fire alarm to the problem of deforestation

Habitat Loss

Whooping cranes need wetlands to survive

Habitat Loss

Historically, wetlands were considered wastelands, suitable only for mosquitoes and

draining

Habitat Loss

Wetlands are drained of all their water causing habitat loss

Habitat Loss

Habitat Loss & Illegal Killing

Cause of endangerment of tigers

Human Activities

Humans = main problem facing the endangered manatee, or sea cow

Sometimes speed boats run over the manatees

Human Activities

Other Endangered Species

Some endangered species that aren’t mammals and birds

Plants like insect-eating pitcher plant are endangered

Other Endangered Species

Bunched Cory Cactus in the

Southwest deserts

Other Endangered Species

Endangered Means There’s Still Time

All living things are connected and depend on each other for survival

Endangered Means There’s Still Time

Estimated that a disappearing plant can take with it up to 30 other species

Endangered Means There’s Still Time

Endangered species show us that our world may not be as healthy as we think

Endangered Means There’s Still Time

Dangerous pesticide, DDT, caused bald eagles to begin laying eggs with shells so

thin they often broke

Endangered Means There’s Still Time

Brown pelicans also signaled the DDT alarm to us when their egg shells started thinning

Endangered Means There’s Still Time

Living and non-living things depending on and interacting with one another is an

ecosystem

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages over 500 refuges with over 90 million acres

In 1973, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed

Protects >900 species of plants and animals in the U.S., and >530 species living in other parts of the world

ESA: illegal to import, export, or sell animals and plants on the list across state lines

What can youyou do to help endangered species?

What You Can Do

Get educated about local endangered species

Visit a nearby national wildlife refuge or nature center

Volunteer

Don’t buy species illegally taken from the wild

Don’t buy products made from threatened or endangered species.