Endangered Species Day

 

On this day in 1973, President Richard Nixon signed what is considered one of the most significant and influential environmental laws in American history.

Actions to protect certain animals began as early as 1900, when it became apparent that hunting, industry and deforestation were capable of wiping out entire species.  The near-extinction of the bison was evidence enough, as was the death of the last passenger pigeon in 1901.

By 1967, though the Department of the Interior was publishing a list, it did not have adequate powers to help animals in need.  The new Act would prohibit federal agencies from jeopardizing species on the list and empowered the government to do more to protect animals.

In its first 30 years, less than one percent of the plants and animals added to the list went extinct, and more than 100 showed a 90% recovery rate.

Today, 17 species are considered Critically Endangered.

African Forest Elephant

Amur Leopard

Black Rhino

Bornean Orangutan

Cross River Gorilla

Eastern Lowland Gorilla

Hawksbill Turtle

Javan Rhino

Orangutan

Saola

Sumatran Elephant

Sumatran Rhino

Sunda Tiger

Vaquita

Western Lowland Gorilla

Yangtze Finless Porpoise

WWF

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