All About Endangered Species

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What does it mean to be Endangered? What can we do to Help?

Endangered species are threatened by a number of forces. Why do they become endangered? Predators, loss of habitat and changing environment have all contributed to a decline in many species. It is important for species at risk to gain attention before it becomes too late to save them.

You Might Recognize...

Did you know these species are endangered?

Some Well Known Endangered Species

  • Hippo

  • Asian Elephant

  • Black Rhinoceros

  • Bengal Tiger

  • Blue Whale

  • Giant Panda

  • Green Turtle

  • Loggerhead Turtle

  • Panda Bear
  • Leatherback Turlte

  • Mountain Gorilla

  • Perregrine Falcon

  • Zebra

What is the Criteria for an Endangered Species?

Definitions by degree of endangerment


The term "endangered species" refers to the likelihood that the species is heading towards extinction. Considerations when concluding whether a species is endangered are breeding success, population, decline, and threats to the species.

"Endangered" status means different things to the IUCN and ESA. The IUCN lists endangered species between "critically endangered" and "vulnerable." The IUCN groups "threatened" species into these groups as well.

Here are the IUCN categories (courtesy:Wikipedia):

Extinct: the last remaining member of the species has died, or is presumed beyond reasonable doubt to have died. Examples: Thylacine, Dodo, Passenger Pigeon
Extinct in the wild: captive individuals survive, but there is no free-living, natural population. Examples: Alagoas Curassow
Critically endangered: faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. Examples: Ivory-billed Woodpecker, Arakan Forest Turtle, Javan Rhino
Endangered: faces a very high risk of extinction in the near future. Examples: Cheetah, Blue Whale, Snow Leopard, African Wild Dog, Tiger
Vulnerable: faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term. Examples: Gaur, Lion, Wolverine
Least Concern: no immediate threat to the survival of the species. Examples: Brown Rat, Nootka Cypress

Endangered Species Poll

Polar Bear at Cape Churchill (Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, Canada,photo taken by Ansgar Walk)br /

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Endangered Species News...

Since '01, Guarding Species Is Harder
Endangered Listings Drop Under Bush
Ethanol and the Unlucky 13
Alternative Fuel Frenzy Leading to Extinction of Grassland Birds?
Another Casualty of Global Warming?
Like the polar bear, the ribbon seal may be on thin ice.
Koalas: The Next Victim?
Are koalas the next victim of climate change?
Obama Makes Endangered Species a Bigger Priority
During the Bush administration, Endangered Species were put on a lower priority, but will now receive renewed support.

Controversy over Endangered Species

There are a number of endangered species controversies.


  • Does the Endangered Species Act work?

  • Is it right to cede land from land owners to preserve species?

  • What should land owners be compensated?

  • Is it unfair to spend money to save animals that migrate to countries that do not help the endangered species in question?

  • Does it discourage poaching and collecting?

What will you do?

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Endangered Species Videos

Baby Twin Panda
by yoosee | video info

1,854 ratings | 808,998 views
curated content from YouTube

Endangered Species Links

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Program
Endangered species news from The Fish & Wildlife Service.
WWF Endangered Species
Since 1961, WWF has worked to protect endangered species.
Red List of Threatened Species from IUCN
IUCN - The World Conservation Union, through its Species Survival Commission (SSC) has for more than four decades been assessing the conservation status of species, subspecies, varieties and even selected subpopulations on a global scale in order to highlight taxa threatened with extinction, and therefore promote their conservation.

How can you Help?

You may be thinking there is nothing you can do to protect endangered species, and that many of them are too distant for you to make any impact. You're wrong! Here are some things you can do...


  • Donate to a reputable organization whose mission is aimed at protecting these endangered species (see the list of endangered species organizations you can donate to below!)

  • Write to your congress people and express your concerns for these species before its too late!

  • Act Locally! Discover what endangered species may be living close to you and see how you can get involved in helping protect them and their habitat

  • Be aware of how your everyday actions impact the environment and realize there affects on the habitats of all creatures, especially those that are endangered

Donate to Help Endangered Species!

Here are some organizations that you can donate to and help out endangered species. You can also give a gift in the form of an Adopt a Pet gift!
Donate to the ESC
Give to the Endangered Species Coalition
Help Stop Extinction Today!
Support World Wildlife Fund
There are many more ways to support WWF's conservation work. There's the adoption center, membership, memorial donation, and much more.
Adopt a Gray Wolf
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With your $25 adoption:

  • 8" Tall Wolf Plush

  • Personalized Certificate of Adoption

  • 5x7 Wolf Photo

  • Wolf Fact Sheet

Adopt-a-Snowy Owl
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These may not be endangered, but they are losing habitat quickly! Act now, before it's too late!
With your $25 adoption:

  • 6" Tall Snowy Owl Plush

  • Personalized Certificate of Adoption

  • 5x7 Snowy Owl Photo

  • Snowy Owl Fact Sheet

Adopt a Polar Bear
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Help save the soon to be endangered and dwindling polar bears from global warming and destructive drilling.
Adopt a Sea Turtle
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Help protect sea turtle habitat and prevent drilling and fishing practices that can harm sea turtles.
Wildlife Adoption Center
See more animals you can adopt from the Defenders of Wildlife website here, including penguins, dolphins, pandas, river otters, bison, elephants and more!

Recently Added to the Endangered Species List...

The Polar Bear has been added to the endangered species list. Frankster has come up with one amazing lens that has a wealth of polar bear information, pictures, facts, polls and videos--it's a must-see.
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Could these be Next??

These animals are safe...for now. However, their numbers are declining due to loss of habitat, poaching, and predation. Will these animals soon be on the endangered species list?

Snowy Owl



Bison in the Snow



Bottlenose Dolphin



Flamingo

Are These Species Next??

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Endangered Species in the News...

Endangered Species Ringtones Downloaded More Than 500000 Times
Calls from 113 species are available to download, including the jaguar, Pacific walrus, American pika,...
Two mussel species found in state are endangered, feds say
Two freshwater mussel species found in West Virginia waters have been listed as endangered under the...
Saving critically endangered species
While rhino numbers are increasing, Dr Linklater says they remain a critically endangered species, especially...

Endangered Species Lenses

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The Panamanian golden frog, http://www.messiah.edu/offices/publications/the_bridge/winter06/bbc_professor/gallery1.html



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