11 Facts About Endangered Species

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1. An endangered species is one whose numbers are so small that it is at risk of extinction.^[Wildscreen Arkive. "Endangered species." Wildscreen. Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
2. A species is defined as endangered or threatened when it is suffers from these factors: damage to its habitat for recreational, or entertainment purposes; disease or predation of the species; and hazards to the continued life of the species.^[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Program. "Listing a Species as Threatened or Endangered: Section 4 of the Endangered Species Act" 2015. Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
3. A species is declared extinct after many years of not being spotted. Because it takes so long to define an entire species as extinct, it is probable that there are many species already gone that we are unaware of.^[Engber, Daniel. "When can you say an animal is extinct?" Slate Magazine, 2005. Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
4. Rangers are on the frontlines of conservation to protect some of the world's most endangered species like tigers, elephants and rhinos. Send thank-you cards to those who protect endangered species. Sign up for Wildlife Cards!^[World Wildlife Fund. "Thanking Our Heroes: Rangers Put Their Lives on the Line Every Day to Protect Wildlife." 2014. Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
5. Extinction is a natural phenomenon, it occurs at a natural “background” rate of about one to five species per year. Scientists estimate we’re now losing species at 1,000 to 10,000 times the “background” rate, with dozens going extinct every day.^[Center for Biological Diversity. "The Extinction Crisis." Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
6. As many as 30 to 50 percent of all species are possibly heading toward extinction by mid-century.^[Center for Biological Diversity. "The Extinction Crisis." Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
7. 99% of currently threatened species are at risk from human activities, primarily those driving habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, and global warming^[Center for Biological Diversity. "The Extinction Crisis" Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
8. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) protects registered endangered species by removing them from the “take” list, which makes it unlawful for a person to shoot, harm, capture, trap, or attempt any such actions to the species.^[Davison, Steven G. "Alteration Of Wildlife Habitat As A Prohibited Taking Under The Endangered Species Act." The Florida State University College of Law. Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
9. Ultimately, the ESA strives to recover species from the endangered list by restoring their ecological health until they no longer need protection.^[U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service . "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook." 1998. Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
10. The World Wildlife Organization focuses on saving certain species that help sustain other species. They protect wildlife such as pandas, whales, rhinos, marine turtles, primates, polar bears, and big cats.^[World Wildlife Fund. "About Us." Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]
11. Freshwater ecosystems are home to more than 100,000 known species of plants and animals, and are now one of the most endangered habitats in the world as a result of human development, pollution, and climate change.^[World Wildlife Fund. "Habitats: Freshwaters." Web Accessed March 20, 2015.]