Many organizations are dedicated to protecting endangered species.
The Endangered Species Act lists more than 1,200 U.S. animal and species as endangered or facing the possibility of becoming extinct. A "red list" of the world's most threatened species is maintained by IUCN-World Conservation Union, which includes more than 8,400 animals that are endangered or vulnerable. A variety of laws offer protection to endangered animals including restricting their trade and making it a crime to capture or kill them or to harm their habitat. A myriad of government-sponsored and private organizations are dedicated to helping save endangered animals. Many are involved in recovery plans that can involve captive breeding efforts, assisted reproduction efforts, habitat restoration, field research in animal behavior, and biology or ecology studies.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The principal federal organization charged with administrating the Endangered Species Act, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explains that its goal is "to reverse the alarming trend of human-caused extinctions that threaten the ecosystems we all share." Among their activities: helping public and private landowners use of voluntary conservation tools to protect at-risk species and their habitats; managing federal lands as well as actions that may affect endangered species; funding participation in a wide array of voluntary conservation projects; developing habitat conservation plans with private landowners, corporations, state and local governments and tribes to offset any potential harm to endangered wildlife; and working cooperatively with governments of Canada and Mexico to conserve all at-risk species in North America.
The Wildlife Conservation Society
One of the oldest wildlife preservation organizations, the Wildlife Conservation Society was founded in 1895 and lays claim to successfully recovering the American bison to the Western U.S. plains. The organization states its mission is to "save wildlife and wild places across the globe. Today, we protect many of the world's iconic creatures here and abroad, including gorillas in the Congo, tigers in India, wolverines in the Yellowstone Rockies, and ocean giants in our world's amazing seascapes." WCS manages more than 500 conservation projects in 60 countries an educates millions of visitors to its "living institutions" in New York: the Central Park, Bronx, Queen and Prospect Park zoos and the New York Aquarium. The WCS manages more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world and has more than 200 scientists on staff.
The National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation says it's the nation's largest conservation organization claiming 4 million supporters committed to sustaining defending wildlife, restoring natural ecosystems and habitats and inspiring and educating Americans to protect and care for their natural heritage. NWF is working across the country with state and federal conservation agencies, businesses and other conservation groups to protect and restore our native wildlife and the habitats on which they depend. NWF's efforts to protect wildlife center on working closely with fish and wildlife agencies to prevent species endangerment, defending the Endangered Species Act, and advancing creation of "climate-smart" conservation practices designed to help wildlife adapt to global warming.
The World Wildlife Fund
Supported by 1.2 million U.S. and close 5 million members worldwide, the Worldwide Wildlife Fund claims its "unique way of working" combines global reach with a foundation in science involves action from at every level from local to global to create innovative solutions for both people and animals. The organization has been in operation for more than 45 years. WWF attempts to use the best available scientific knowledge to protecting endangered species, natural areas and wild populations of plants; promote use of renewable resources; and promote more efficient use of resources and energy while reducing pollution.
Other Organizations
There are countless organizations that work to preserve endangered species including the Nature Convervancy, Defenders of Wildlife, the Cousteau Society, the Audubon Society, the National Geographic Society and Nature Serve, There are also groups that focus work on specific species. For links to various organizations, go to Animal Info.com.
Tags: more than, at-risk species, conservation projects, Conservation Society, endangered animals, Endangered Species