STANDARDS

Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4

NCSS: Culture • Time, Continuity, and Change • People, Places, and Environments • Power, Authority, and Governance • Science, Technology, and Society

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Image of a bald eagle, a green sea turtle, and a large grizzly bear

Stan Tekiela Author/Naturalist/Wildlife Photographer/Getty Images (eagle); iStockPhoto/Getty Images (turtle); Shutterstock.com (bear)

U.S. & WORLD NEWS

Environment

What Do These Animals Have in Common?

They’ve all been helped by the Endangered Species Act, which turns 50 this month!

In December 1973, Congress passed a landmark law to protect animals and plants from extinction. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) made it illegal to kill, capture, or harm any species that the government has listed as endangered. It also protects the environment where those animals and plants live, and provides funding to help their populations recover.

Since the ESA became law, less than 1 percent of the animals and plants under its protection have become extinct. Read on for more stats about its effects.

Image of an alligator. Text, "By The Numbers"

Most Protected Animals

These animal groups have the most species on the list.

Image of bar graph showing types of species such as fish & birds & the number of species on the list

Type of Species / Number of Species on the List

Fish: 125

Birds: 97

Clams: 97

Insects: 96

Mammals: 74

SOURCE: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service


Note: Data for graph and What’s on the List? as of July 2023; all other data as of October 16, 2023

U.S. News
Environment

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