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| Endangered Species |
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| Endangering Species An endangered species is defined as a species that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct and needs protection to survive. A threatened species is one that is likely to become endangered if it is not protected. An extinct species is one that is no longer living. Gray wolves are endangered in most of the lower 48 states. They once flourished all across North America. As predators, they keep their prey in balance with nature by ensuring the prey species does not become over-populated. Before people understood how important predators are to keep a healthy balance in nature, many wolves were killed. Today the gray wolf is found only in a few places in the lower 48 states such as Minnesota and Montana. Biologists are trying to restore populations in Wyoming and Idaho by bringing in wild wolves from Canada. In Alaska, the wolf still survives in secure numbers and does not need special protection. |
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| The reasons that species become endangered include habitat loss, unregulated or illegal killing or collection of a species, pesticides and pollution, competition with other species, disease, and predation. Habitat loss is the largest reason that species become endangered. This is especially true as people create more homes and destroy natural habitats. The spotted owl of the Pacific Northwest live in the Old Growth forests that are being cut down by commercial logging companies. Because of this widespread habitat loss in the Pacific Northwest, the spotted owl is now a threatened species. |
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| For More Information About Endangered Species Visit www.stopextinction.org www.greenpeace.org |
| Some things activists have been doing to stop species extinction, ecosystems, and natural diversity is establishing the National Wildlife Refuge System. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for managing over 500 refuges and more than 90 million acres for the conservation of endangered species, ecosystems, and natural diversity. |
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