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Endangered Species Day 2024

Today is Endangered Species Day.

Let’s learn more about endangered and threatened species and what we can do to help them.

 

Background

In the US, the Endangered Species Act (1973) was passed to protect at-risk species and help them, and the ecosystems they depend on, recover. The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service administer the Endangered Species Act.

Scientists in other organizations, like the Forest Service, also conduct research on endangered and threatened species. We’ve covered a lot of their research over the years, so here are a few highlighted species to get you started.

 


Northern Spotted Owls and Mexican Spotted Owls: Threatened

A Northern spotted owl sits on a small branch on a pine tree.
The northern spotted owl lives in northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. USDA Forest Service photo by Betsy Howell.
A pair of Mexican spotted owls on a tree branch.
Mexican spotted owls live in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, as well as in Mexico. USDA Forest Service photo.

Two species of spotted owl—northern spotted owls and Mexican spotted owls—are designated as threatened species because of habitat loss and fragmentation and, for northern spotted owls, competition from barred owls that have moved into their territories.

Check out these free Natural Inquirer resources about research on spotted owls:

Meet Dr. Hoagland! – Vol. 1 No. 11

Who Gives a Hoot? Determining the Value of Owl Habitat

Owl-ch! – How a Changing Climate Might Affect Mexican Spotted Owls

Who Gives a Hoot? Determining the Value of Owl Habitat (Spanish)

You can also learn more about spotted owls at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/spotted_owl.


North American Wolverines: Threatened

A trail cam photo of a wolverine standing on a feeding platform in a tree.
Wolverines aren't often seen by humans so researchers may use trail cameras to locate them, like they have with this North American wolverine. USDA Forest Service photo courtesy of Cascades Carnivore Project.

North American wolverines live in cold climates, preferring at least five feet of snow in which to build their dens to raise their young. Wolverines need large ranges to look for food, and they tend to avoid humans. Climate change has reduced the amount and duration of snow in their habitats, and human development has further fragmented wolverine habitat. These developments led to their listing as threatened.

Check out these free Natural Inquirer resources about research on wolverines:

There’s Snow Place Like Home: Tracking the Range of Wolverines Over Time

Wolverines as Endangered Species with Dr. Keith Aubry

There’s Snow Place Like Home: Tracking the Range of Wolverines Over Time (Investi-gator)


Red-cockaded Woodpeckers: Endangered

A red-cockaded woodpecker by a hole in a tree trunk.
The red-cockaded woodpecker lives throughout the southeast but prefers a very specific kind of habitat. US Fish and Wildlife Service photo by John Maxwell.

The red-cockaded woodpecker is a habitat specialist, preferring open forests of old-growth longleaf pine in the southeastern US. They will also live in other kinds of pine forests if they are old-growth and have a mostly clear understory. Much of this habitat was eliminated by logging and other development, so the red-cockaded woodpecker was listed as endangered back in 1970.

Check out these free Natural Inquirer resources about the research on red-cockaded woodpeckers:

Knock on Wood – Vol. 1 No. 21

Wood Roaches for Dinner Again? The Baby Red-Cockaded Woodpecker’s Diet

Wood Roaches for Dinner Again? The Baby Red-Cockaded Woodpecker’s Diet (Spanish)

You can learn more about red-cockaded woodpeckers at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-cockaded_Woodpecker.

Gopher Tortoises: Threatened

Longleaf pine forests are also preferred habitats of the gopher tortoise, a species designated as threatened. Learn about both red-cockaded woodpeckers and gopher tortoises in Knock on Wood.

A juvenile gopher tortoise in the grass.

Rio Grande Silvery Minnow: Endangered

A Rio Grande silvery minnow against a black background.
The Rio Grande silvery minnow now occupies less than 7 percent of its original range. US Fish and Wildlife Service photo.

The Rio Grande silvery minnow is a small fish that was once plentiful in the Rio Grande basin, from Colorado to Texas and into Mexico. The minnow now occupies only a small section of the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico and attempts have been made to reintroduce the species to sections of the river in Texas.

The species was listed as endangered in 1994 due to changes in the Rio Grande (dam construction, water diversion, etc.) and water pollution.

Check out some research on efforts to repopulate areas with the Rio Grande silvery minnow:

By the Light of the Silvery Minnow: Can Young Minnows Be Taught About Their Natural Foods?

You can learn more about the Rio Grande silvery minnow at https://www.fws.gov/species/rio-grande-silvery-minnow-hybognathus-amarus.


Story Map: Threatened & Endangered Species at Endangered Species Act's 50th

The USDA Forest Service created a story map in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Learn more about highlighted species of plants, insects, and animals and what’s being done to protect these species from extinction.

  • Read about laws and policies to protect species
  • Browse list of highlighted species
  • Learn about tracking technology
  • Explore regional efforts and other resources
Three black-footed ferrets looking out from a burrow.
Nissa McKinney stands outside next to a wooden walkway.

Nissa McKinney

I am a science writer for Natural Inquirer. I work with scientists to translate their research into language that’s easy for students to understand. I used to be a high school English teacher, so I love getting to connect with...