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The United States celebrates Endangered Species Day
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Friday 15th May 2009

Alaskan sea otter

Initiated in 2006 by the United States Congress in an effort to spread awareness of endangered wildlife and wilderness areas, Endangered Species Day is now celebrated annually in the United States on the third Friday of each May. Endangered Species Day 2009 will be marked by a range of events and actions across America, and is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species. In addition, it encourages people to take action to help protect Americas disappearing wildlife and open spaces. Endangered Species Day 2009 will focus in particular on the threats to endangered species, including global warming, and also on celebrating conservation success stories.

 

Further information

To find out more about Endangered Species Day, and about the range of activities and events taking place, see:

The United States is home to a range of IUCN Red Listed animals and plants. Find out more about some of these species and what is being done to help save them:

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)

image: Californian sea otterThe sea otter was harvested almost to extinction for its pelts between 1740 and 1900. This charismatic species is the subject of intensive conservation efforts, which appear to have helped stabilise the fragile population. However, sea otters are still under threat from pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, infectious diseases, and competition for food with commercial fisheries.

California condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

image: California condor on rockListed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered, the California condor was reduced to just eight wild individuals in the 1980s. Since then, an intensive captive breeding programme and successful releases have given new hope to this impressive bird, which can once again be seen soaring over the rocky Californian landscape.

Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

image: Gopher tortoise on sand duneUnder threat from habitat loss, collection for the pet trade and mortality on roads, the gopher tortoise is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Efforts have been made to prevent the species being kept as a pet, and habitat conservation is also a high priority.

Whooping crane (Grus americana)

image: Whooping crane wadingThe Endangered whooping crane is one of the best-known conservation stories in North America. Reduced to just 16 individuals in the mid 20th Century, a large conservation effort has increased the population to nearly 400 wild individuals today.

Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum)

image: Giant sequoia (The General Grant Tree)The unmistakable giant sequoia, the largest tree on the planet, was massively logged in the past, and is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. However, now recognised as a national treasure, as much as 90 percent of the population of this magnificent tree is protected, and the species attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Visit MyARKive to view a selection of images and videos of endangered North American species in the North American species scrapbook.



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