1. Endangered Species Objectives: Explain how fish and wildlife become extinct, rare, endangered, or threatened. Discuss recovery strategies used to manage a specific endangered species. Explain the importance of saving an endangered species.

2. “ The last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: What good is it? If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not… Who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent thinking” –Aldo Leopold

3. Endangered Species Act The Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973 by congress and signed by president Richard Nixon The ESA was developed in an effort to reduce the increasing rate of extinction of plants and animals in the United States

4. Endangered Species Act The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is charged with the task of identifying species of plants and animals and classifying them.

5. Classifications Extinct Species are no longer living on the earth. Endangered Species are those that are in danger of becoming extinct unless they are protected Threatened Species are those that are likely to become endangered in the future unless conservation measures are taken

6. Classifications Species of Concern are those that need to be monitored because there are factors that may cause them to become threatened or endangered Candidate Species are those not currently listed as threatened or endangered but may be as information is gathered Rare Species are those that only exist in small numbers.

7. Terms Critical Habitat is an area required for a species’ normal needs and survival Take is defined as to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, trap, kill, capture, or collect a listed species

8. Alabama Threatened or Endangered Species Alabama ranks 4 th in the nation in the number of threatened or endangered species. As of 2005 there are 5 mammals, 4 birds, 6 reptiles, 1 amphibian, 12 fish, 40 invertebrates, and 18 plants. The high number of species is probably due to the natural diversity of the state.

9. Gray BatMammal Endangered

10. Indiana BatMammal Endangered

11. Red-Cockaded WoodpeckerBird Endangered

12. Wood StorkBird Endangered

13. Bald EagleBird Threatened

14. Alabama Red Bellied TurtleReptile Endangered

15. Flattened Musk TurtleReptile Threatened

16. Gopher TortoiseReptile Threatened

17. Eastern Indigo SnakeReptile Threatened

18. Red Hills SalamanderAmphibian Threatened

19. Gulf SturgeonFish Threatened

20. Alabama Beach Mouse

21. Perdido Key Beach Mouse

22. Green Sea Turtle

23. Hawksbill Sea Turtle

24. What causes Endangerment? Species become Endangered due to: -Threats to Habitat - Limited Range - Physical or Biological Factors (like disease or food supply)

25. Why save them? Each species plays a role in the environment, a species’ extinction could adversely effect other species. Also, we must ensure that this planet is enjoyable for future generations.

26. Recovery Strategies The Bald Eagle was on the endangered species list not long ago, but efforts have been made to bring it back. Several factors contributed to it’s decline. DDT Nesting ground disturbances Reduced habitat

27. Recovery Strategies Any strategy must first account for the animals’ food sources, cover, and range. With the Bald Eagle, DDT was outlawed There habitat and nesting grounds are now protected