How Are Animals Declared Endangered?

The Endangered Species Act was signed into law by Rickard Nixon in 1973. The purpose of this law is to protect endangered species and to protect species whose existence is threatened. There are two ways to have animal and plant species declared endangered. The process is lengthy and requires gathering supportive data and evaluating public requests.

  1. Declaring Agencies

    • Two federal agencies have the responsibility of deciding whether a species is at risk of becoming extinct. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides whether an animal, plant or a freshwater fish should be listed as endangered and protected under the Endangered Species Act. The National Marine Fisheries Service is responsible for deciding whether marine fish and wildlife should be declared endangered.

    Criteria for Endangered Status

    • Several factors are evaluated when deciding to declare a species endangered. A species is added to the list if the chance for long-term survival is threatened by man-made factors or if the species is threatened by disease or predation. If current regulations do not properly protect a species, it can be declared endangered. A species is listed as endangered when a large portion of its habitat has been destroyed. The overutilization of a species for scientific research or educational and commercial purposes can also lead to its endangered status.

    Petition Process

    • Any individual can submit a petition to the Secretary of the Interior requesting that a species be listed as endangered. The petition must contain detailed information supporting the request. Within 90 days of receiving the petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Marine Fisheries Service makes a decision as to whether there is enough supporting information to continue the process. This process can take more than a year before it is decided that the petition is warranted and the species is added to the endangered list.

    Candidate Conservation Process

    • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service can declare a species a candidate for the endangered list. If gathered scientific and commercial data indicate that a species meets any of the criteria, it is included in the Federal Register, a federal document listing candidates for endangerment status. This is available to anyone for review. Agencies and the general public may be made aware of the proposed candidates through news releases, special mailings or public hearings. During a 60-day comment period, anyone can make comments or provide additional information regarding the proposed candidates. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service take up to a year to review all data and submitted information before making a final endangerment ruling.