When did gray whales become endangered?

Gray whales were declared endangered in the 1970s. However, their journey to this status was much longer:

* 19th Century: Extensive hunting nearly wiped out the gray whale population.

* Early 20th Century: International protection began with a moratorium on hunting.

* 1970s: The U.S. Endangered Species Act listed gray whales as endangered due to their low numbers and ongoing threats.

It's important to note that while they were officially declared endangered in the 1970s, the population had been drastically reduced throughout the 19th century and early 20th century due to whaling. The 1970s designation formalized their status and helped to focus conservation efforts.