Endangered

Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Threatened

Any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Candidate

Candidate Species (taxa for which the Service has sufficient information to propose that they be added to list of endangered and threatened species, but the listing action has been precluded by other higher priority listing activities).

Proposed

Any species of fish, wildlife or plant that is proposed in the Federal Register to be listed under section 4 of the Act. This could be either proposed for endangered or threatened status.

Experimental, Non-essential Population

A reintroduced population established outside the species’ current range, but within its historical range. For purposes of section 7 consultation, this population is treated as a proposed species, except when it is located within a National Wildlife Refuge and National Park, when the population is considered threatened.

Under Review

Determining whether the status of the species meets the definition of threatened or endangered.

Species of Concern

Taxa for which further biological research and field study are needed to resolve their conservation status OR are considered sensitive, rare, or declining on lists maintained by Natural Heritage Programs, State wildlife agencies, other Federal agencies, or professional/academic scientific societies. Species of Concern are included for planning purposes only.