In 1973 a law was created called the Endangered Species Act. The law said that you cannot harm any endangered species or other threatened animals. This law was not passed in all 50 states, but it was in Maine. So far it has helped preserve many troubled animals.
Animals can become endangered when their populations decrease. This happens when they are harmed by their environment, such as acid precipitation or by humans, such as habitat destruction, hunting, etc.
The status labels extinct, endangered, threatened, and species of concern are steps in the ladder of endangerment. The end of the ladder is called extinction, and the beginning is species of concern.
Some endangered species in Maine include:
BIRDS:
Golden Eagle
Peregrine Falcon
Piping Plover
Roseate Tern
Least Tern
Black Tern
Sedge Wren
American Pipit
Grasshopper Sparrow
Eskimo Curlew
|
Gray Wolf
Eastern Cougar
Right Whale
Humpback Whale
Finback Whale
Sperm Whale
Sei Whale
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS:
Leatherback
Atlantic Ridely
Blandings Turtle
Box Turtle
Black Racer
FISH:
Shortnose Sturgeon
INSECTS:
American Burying Beetle
Karner Blue
You can find out more information on the above animals on their specific page on this CD. Click on the animal to view.
Extinct Threatened Species of Concern Endangered Species Act