View our new interactive map to learn about endangered species success in your state or territory.
Launch Map »
Our History
Pre ESA
San Joaquin kit fox
Pre ESA
The San Joaquin kit fox was among the first species to gain federal protection under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. More »
1970s
Higgins eye pearlymussel
1970s
The Higgins eye pearlymussel was among the first invertebrates to gain Endangered Species Act protection in 1976. More »
1980s
Black-footed ferret
1980s
A ranch dog retrieves a black-footed ferret – presumed extinct – in 1981 near Meeteetse, Wyoming. More »
1990s
California condor
1990s
The California condor is reintroduced back into the wild in southern California after its removal from the wild in 1988. More »
2000s
Bald eagle
2000s
After nearly disappearing from most of the U.S., the bald eagle recovers and is removed from ESA protection in 2007. More »
2010s
Chiricahua leopard frog
2010s
In August 2011, the 10,000th captive-bred Chiricauha leopard frog is released into the wild. More »
"My vision is to see a field in bloom—make the whole place pink," says Chris Raithel of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, referring to restoring populations of the endangered sandplain gerardia... More
Indiana bats are found over most of the eastern half of the U.S. Almost half of them hibernate in caves in southern Indiana... More
This video was editied and compiled from raw footage recorded by a camera equipped radio collar that was put on a female polar bear in the Beaufort Sea during April 2014 by the U.S. Geological Survey... More
Know Your Species
Media Kit/Resources
A collection of resources to help journalists build their story, coloring pages for children to learn about endangered species across the country, and other tools to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. More »
Species on Refuges
National wildlife refuges are home to more than 280 of the nation's 1,311
endangered and threatened species.
ESA 101 video
For 40 years, the Endangered Species Act has protected America's imperiled plants and animals—from the carnivorous green pitcher plant of Southeastern wetlands, to the western snowy plover of northwestern beaches, to the iconic polar bear of the Arctic.This video takes us through the successes the ESA has brought in the last four decades, and looks ahead to the work that still needs to be done.
Last updated:
June 27, 2014