5 Animals That Are No Longer Endangered

By Keetra Bippus

The Endangered Species list was created in 1977 in an effort to protect animals whose populations were negatively impacted by humans. Animals on the list are protected by the federal government and have recovery programs in place.

The Interior Least Tern

(Photo by Wayne Hathaway)

The smallest members of the tern family, they were first listed in 1985, with less than 2,000 terns left. Currently, there are over 18,000 across 18 states!

Okaloosa Darter

(Photo by Bill Tate)

These little guys were moved from the status of endangered to threatened due to the successful efforts of conservationists in protecting their habitat!

The American Alligator

(Photo by Cindy Larson/Getty Images)

The American Alligator was first classified as endangered in 1967 due to hunting and poaching. Due to state and federal protection, this species was able to make a comeback and is currently listed as threatened!

Louisiana Black Bear

(Photo by Pam Mcllhenny)

These adorable bears were listed as threatened, but incredibly, recovered well enough to be removed from the list of endangered species entirely!

Brown Kiwi

(Photo by Neil Hutton)

The Brown Kiwi status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ Red List of Threatened Species was finally changed from endangered to vulnerable after 25 years of conservation efforts! Yay Kiwis!

Sources:

• https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/05/world/kiwi-red-list-intl/index.html#:~:text=The%20northern%20brown%20kiwi%20has,'&text=Conservation%20efforts%20in%20New%20Zealand,a%20high%20risk%20of%20extinction

• https://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNews.cfm?ref=trump-administration-celebrates-recovery-of-america%E2%80%99s--smallest-tern-&_ID=36833

• https://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/ep-08.html

• https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/519659/25-species-have-made-amazing-comebacks

• https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammals/louisiana-black-bear/#recovery-from-threatened-status-section

• https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=C000

Written by Keetra Bippus