Endangered Species Act

Purpose

To study the history of the Endangered Species Act, Endangered Species Coalition and the animals protected under it and to follow the latest happenings in the news pertaining to this subject.

Review of Literature

The Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act was created on December 28, 1973, for the protection of all animals whose numbers were declining and were in danger of becoming extinct. Congress passed it with overwhelming votes of 355-4 in the House of Representatives and 92-0 in the Senate. When it was signed, President Nixon was quoted saying, "Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed." Over the past thirty years, many animals have been added to the endangered species list and have benefited greatly from the protection that it offers. However, getting on the endangered species list is a long and tedious process.

English: The Whooping Crane, Grus americana at the...

English: Map of Critical Habitat for the North Pac...

English: Map of Critical Habitat for the North Pac...

(ESA, 1)

In order for a species to be added to the endangered species list, it has to be "listed". To be listed, the species has to be first identified as "likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future." This can only be determined by scientific means, not political ones. The process by which a species is added to the endangered species list should take no longer than twenty-seven months. However, there are many cases that take much longer than that. Also, cases may take a lot shorter than that if it is an extreme emergency and the species is literally on the brink of extinction. (ESA, 1)

Before a species is listed, it is seen as a candidate species. In many cases, species may remain as candidates for years on end. For instance, the Florida black bear has been a candidate species since...