ENDANGERED species

 According to scientists, more than one and one-half million species exist on the earth today. However, recent estimates state that at least 20 times that many species inhabit the planet.

 In the United States, 735 species of plants and 496 species of animals are listed as threatened or endangered and 266 of these listed species have recovery plans currently under development.

Even though there are more than 3,500 protected areas in existence worldwide. These areas include parks, wildlife refuges and other reserves covering a total of nearly 2 million square miles (5 million square km), or 3% of our total land area, there are more than 1,000 animal species that are endangered.

            Aquatic species, which are often overlooked, are facing serious trouble. One third of the United States’ fish species, two-thirds of its crayfish species, and almost three-quarters of its mussel species are in trouble.

Here is a short account on how such species are dealt with.

Endangered Species Terms

  VULNERABLE SPECIES - A species particularly at risk because of low or declining numbers or small range, but not a threatened species.

   THREATENED SPECIES – a species whose population is not yet low enough to be in immediate danger of extinction, but who certainly faces serious problems. If the problems affecting these species aren’t resolved, it is probable that the species will become endangered. The eastern indigo snake and the red kangaroo are examples of threatened species.

   ENDANGERED SPECIES – a specie, plant or animal, that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its numbers are usually low, and it needs protection in order to survive. The Siberian tiger, the southern sea otter, the snow leopard, the green pitcher plant, and thousands of other plants and animals are endangered worldwide.

   EXTINCT SPECIES – an extinct species is one that is no longer living. The passenger pigeon, the dodo, and the Stegosaurus are examples of extinct species. These animals no longer exist on the earth.

Listing of Endangered Species

A declining species has to be added to the official list of endangered and threatened species before it receives any federal protection. But just getting on the list can be the hardest part. The Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a current list of endangered and threatened species online.

  How Does A Species Get "Listed?"

 Any person may petition the government to list a species as either endangered or threatened. An endangered species is any species "in danger of extinction through all or a significant portion of its range." A threatened species is any species "which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future." The decision to list a species is supposed to be based solely on science, not politics. The listing process is designed to take no more than 27 months. (In some limited circumstances an expedited or emergency listing may be given temporarily.)

 What Is A Candidate Species?

Unfortunately, many species sit on the "candidate" list for years and years owing to adverse political pressure or funding constraints. If there is enough evidence that the species needs to be listed, but there is inadequate funding to finish the process, the Service usually declares the species' listing "warranted but precluded." For example, the Florida Black Bear has waited on the candidate list since 1992.

  What Is A Candidate Conservation Agreement?

A candidate conservation plan is supposed to help implement needed conservation measures for declining wildlife before they need federal protection. Unfortunately, the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service sometimes use candidate conservation agreements to avoid needed listings when a species is politically controversial. There's an obvious problem with relying on future, unenforceable promises when a species needs to be listed immediately. The Atlantic Salmon, for example, is in dire need of federal protection, but a voluntary conservation plan by Maine has given the agency an excuse not to list it.

What is a recovery plan?

Recovery plans, as part of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Reovery Program, are designed to reverse the decline of a threatened or endangered species and eventually bring the population to a self-sustaining level. Each plan should include a description of the species’ current situation, including any relevant scientific data, a recovery objective (for example, a target population number), and a list of criteria for indicating when the objective has been achieved, an implementation schedule, including priorities of tasks and cost estimates, an appendix identifying appropriate external reviews of the plan, and any additional pertinent information.

A recovery plan may include a myriad of different options including reintroduction, habitat acquisition, captive propagation, habitat restoration and protection, population assessments, research and technical assistance for landowners, and public education. Unfortunately, implementation of a recovery plan is not mandatory, so once it is finalized, the plan may just collect dust on a shelf.

Sources of Information: National Wildlife Federation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

                                                                                       -Anjani Shankar

                                                                                        St. Stephen's College, Delhi