Wildlife diversity has allowed species to thrive in nearly every environment on Earth. However, climate change, development, overhunting, and disruptions to food chains have caused many North American species to go extinct. In 1973 the U.S. passed the Endangered Species Act to protect vulnerable species from further endangerment or threat. The Act established criteria for determining if a species should be protected, including damage to habitat, overutilization, disease, predation, lack of existing protection, and other natural or man-made threats affecting a species' continued survival. Thanks to conservation efforts some species like bald eagles have been successfully protected and removed from endangered lists, but thousands remain at risk due to habitat loss, natural disasters

1. Wildlife
Conservation
in the U.S.

2. Wildlife diversity is one of the
defining achievements for the
planet earth — somehow or
another, there is a species that is
equipped to live in nearly every
imaginable climate on the planet,
whether that be intense heat or
cold, or areas with very little light
or oxygen.

3. Sadly, changes to the climate,
real estate development,
overhunting, and disruptions to
the food chain have lead many
species directly to their
extinction. Today, many species
that were synonymous with the
landscape of North America
before the founding of America
are nowhere to be found.

4. Luckily, in 1973, the United
States under the Nixon
administration passed the
Endangered Species Act with
flying bipartisan support.
Because of this act, species can
be classified as “endangered” or
“threatened” depending on how
close they are to extinction.

5. What makes a
species eligible for
“protected” status?
According to the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, the eligibility
is based on the five following
criteria:

6. 1. damage to,
or destruction
of, a species’
habitat;

7. 2. overutilization of
the species for
commercial,
recreational, scientific,
or educational
purposes;

8. 3. disease or
Bart
Gamett/USFW
S predation;

9. 4. inadequacy
of existing
protection;

10. and 5. other natural
or man-made
factors that affect
the continued
existence of the
species.

11. Globally, two species of kiwis,
various big cat species, and
America’s own bald eagle have
been removed from the list of
endangered animals thanks to
crackdowns on poaching and
increasingly powerful state
park programs.

12. However, thousands of species
are still at risk due to the
destruction of their habitats,
natural disasters, and illegal
hunting.

13. It’s urgent that everyone plays
their part in making sure the
planet remains habitable to the
beautiful array of species that
call earth home.

14. For more, visit Treasure Investments
on their website
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