Have you ever wondered if bald eagles are still protected? They are.
In the U.S., many animals are protected by laws to keep them safe. I’ve always thought it is cool how some animals get extra protection because they’re rare, important to the environment, or symbolize something special. Here are 11 protected animals in the U.S. & why they’re so important.
Bald Eagle
Bald eagle is the US symbol of freedom and strength. Their numbers have increased, but they are still protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
It’s also illegal to kill, disturb or even touch their nests or eggs under this law. This law keeps them safe & alive in the wild while allowing the next generation to watch these magnificent creatures fly.
Gray Wolf
Gray wolves once roamed the length and breadth of North America, but they were hunted & hunted to near extinction. Now, in many states, they are listed in the Endangered Species Act.
These protections revolve around keeping their habitats intact & keeping them from being illegally killed. Gray wolves are important for keeping ecosystems balanced. They control prey populations like deer, which helps maintain a healthy environment.
Florida Manatee
Manatees are “sea cows,” friendly colossi found in Florida’s warm water. Unfortunately, they’re struck by boats or killed because of contamination.
Both federal and state governments keep them safe by putting speed limits in manatee habitats & working to restore their waterways. Keeping manatees in the system is important because they sustain underwater ecosystems such as seagrass beds.
California Condor
One of the world’s largest flight birds, the California condor, was once near extinction, with less than 30 left on the planet. Their population increased because of strict protections from the Endangered Species Act.
These laws keep them from being hunted, shield their nesting sites & ensure their food supply. Though they remain incredibly endangered, their recovery is a conservation achievement.
Sea Otter
The sea otters help maintain kelp forests because they feed on sea urchins that kill the kelp if left unchecked. These witty marine mammals are enrolled in federally protected species status, which prohibits hunting them & focuses on cleaning up their contaminated habitat.
Without sea otters, the entire marine ecosystem would collapse, so we must protect them.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Loggerhead sea turtles are endangered by everything from fishing nets to polluted nesting beaches. Their nesting grounds are protected by law & fishermen are obliged to deploy nets that permit turtles to escape if they get in.
When we conserve these turtles, we’re also restoring equilibrium to the marine environments in which they live.
Whooping Crane
These beautiful white birds are some of the rarest in North America. Habitat loss and hunting nearly wiped them out, but they have grown thanks to protections under the Endangered Species Act.
They also depend on wetland conservation because they use wetlands to nest & feed. It’s the fact that they’re gradually coming back that tells us conservation does work.
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly bears, which once roamed the U.S. continent, inhabit only a few places now. Protections involve ensuring the sustainability of their remaining habitats and stopping human violence. Grizzlies are essential to their environments because they disperse seeds & keep other species in check.
Piping Plover
This tiny bird with a sandy plumage is fond of beach & coastline nests. Unfortunately, human activities, like construction and beachgoers disturbing nests, have threatened their survival.
Their nesting grounds are now protected by law, free from predation & intrusion during breeding season. These laws have lent the piping plover a chance at survival.
Hawaiian Monk Seal
Hawaiian monk seals are one of the most endangered seals in the world and they only inhabit Hawaii. They are at risk from overfishing, trapping in boats & habitat destruction.
Fishing bans and habitat restoration initiatives protect to keep their populations from shrinking further.
American Alligator
The American alligator once was slaughtered for meat and skin to the point of extinction. Hunting them was prohibited under conservation law & they’re finally back in the population.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
