We’ve heard of popular endangered animals, but what does endangered species really mean? Keep reading to learn about endangered animals and steps you can take today to make a difference.
What does endangered mean?
In 1973, Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) holding the federal government responsible to protect endangered species, including plants and animals worldwide. The goal is to protect plants and animals by reducing the threat of extinction. The following factors are considered when determining if a species should be added to the endangered list.
Current habitat conditions: Has a large portion of the species habitat been destroyed?
Consumption levels: Has the species been over-consumed?
Disease: Are there diseases threatening the species?
Current regulations: Are the species poorly protected by current legislation?
Human interaction: Are man-made elements or human actions threatening the species survival?
How to protect endangered animals
Endangered species are greatly impacted by human interaction, especially from habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change. There are many steps you can take to make a difference.
Start with making an impact and learning about endangered species in your area. If you are located in North Carolina, you can start learning with our list of endangered species in NC. Additionally, ensure your home is not a threat to wildlife by securing any outdoor garbage or recycling bins, and use eco friendly lawn and garden products.
Make an impact financially by donating to a partner of The Hedrick Project or by joining The Collective. Either way, 100% of your donation goes directly to our partnered organizations.
Endangered Species Examples
Sharks
Nearly 1 in 4 sharks are threatened with extinction, mainly caused by human activity such as shark tourism and hunting. Sharks are essential to keeping ecosystems in balance by being one of the top species keeping the food web in order. They keep the oceans healthy by feeding on dead matter that sinks to the ocean floor.
Our partner, Shark Trust, is working towards global solutions to protect shark populations through conservation and awareness. Their teams work to save species through advocating for international protection, and by providing and enforcing conservation plans. Shark Trust values research to help educate communities and get others involved through their Shark Sighting Database. The organization is also working towards sustainable fisheries, so all sharks caught by fishermen are done so legally or not at all. Support the efforts of Shark Trust by donating today and making a difference that supports healthy oceans.
Red Wolf
The NC Wildlife Federation estimates only 15 red wolves remain in the state. The species is on the critically endangered list due to habitat loss, vehicle collisions, and hunting. Like sharks, red wolves are important to keep ecosystems balanced. Red wolves help farmers by preying on rodents, like rats and mice. Rodents can negatively impact farms by destroying crops and spreading diseases.
The Hedrick Project is currently working on a project dedicated to bettering animal, human, and environmental life, including the lives of red wolves. The project is devoted specifically to our home state of North Carolina. Subscribe to our newsletter for an announcement about this exciting project coming soon.
Learn more about our other projects in the following articles.
So that leaves the question, can you help save endangered animals? Take steps today to make a difference.
Written by: Faith Foushee