Endangered species



An endangered species is a species of organism which is in danger of extinction. Authorities classify species as endangered for several reasons, such as decreasing numbers or naturally low population numbers. The protection of endangered species is a big part of environmentalism. The U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 created legal protections for species on the list. This, of course, angers  libertarians, who see its protections as infringing upon property rights, and its expense as excessive. There have, of course, been excesses, but the overall impact of the ESA has been positive.

The species homo sapiens became endangered at least as early as the 1950s, but ranks as far too (self-)important for listing as endangered.

Some well known endangered species

 * Black-Footed Ferret
 * Kakapo
 * Asian Elephant
 * Giant Panda (formerly)
 * Republicans with a soul
 * Red Panda
 * Blue Whale
 * Black Rhinoceros