10 previously endangered animals that have evaded extinction
Just because an animal is listed as endangered doesn't mean they're doomed. This only marks the beginning of hope, with many efforts to preserve, protect and rebuild the species' population. In some cases, this works particularly well, like grizzly bears jumping from a population of 140 to 50,000. Here we go over 10 species that were almost down for the count yet managed to recover after some dedicated caring and conservation efforts.
1. American Alligator
Previously listed as endangered because its skin was popular for clothing, the American Alligator has made a full recovery after being protected from the 1960s through 1987.
2. Southern White Rhinoceros
Unlike the Northern White Rhinoceros, which only has two females left and no males that are known of, the Southern White Rhinoceros bounced back through conservation and breeding efforts and anti-poaching laws.
3. Gray Wolf
The gray wolf was listed as endangered in the 1970s after hunting and depopulation efforts were taken too far, but was able to recover after becoming protected. It was taken off the list in 2011.
4. Snow Leopard
The snow leopard isn't completely devoid of risk after being endangered since 1972, but its status went from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2017, giving some hope to recovery after numerous conservation efforts.
5. North American Gray Whale
While not all gray whales are recovering, the North American Gray Whale's population (those around the shores of North America) has grown greatly after being protected since 1946 and were moved off of the list in 1994.
6. Panda
Pandas have been protected since the 1980s, with the Chinese government not only enforcing anti-poaching laws, but also set up panda reserves in order to promote conservation. This paid off, as the panda population has grown to at least 2,000 in the wild with more on the way.
7. Grizzly Bear
In 1975, we realized there were only about 140 grizzly bears left, and promptly put them on the Endangered Species List. Now, there are around 50,000 around the world, making them a lot less at risk than they once were and removing them from the list.
8. Manatee
Manatee numbers were dwindling due to being killed by humans, both intentionally through hunting and unintentionally through boating incidents, and having their habitats destroyed for commercial and residential purposes. After being added to the Endangered Species List and seeing improvements on all fronts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now proposes to mark them as "threatened" as opposed to "endangered."
9. Louisiana Black Bear
The Louisiana black bear, the inspiration for the teddy bear, had been listed as endangered starting in 1992 due to loss of habitat. As of 2015, the bear has bounced back and been delisted.
10. Steller Sea Lion
The Steller sea lions were down to 18,000 in 1979, and listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1990. Now, after 23 years of protection, the population has grown to a whomping 70,000.
Every day billions of people depend on wild flora and fauna to obtain food, medicine and energy. But a new U.N.-backed report says that overex…
A company working on technologies to bring back extinct species has attracted more investors. Other scientists are skeptical such feats are possible or a good idea.
A rhinoceros was pregnant through embryo transfer in the first successful use of a method that conservationists said could be used to try to save the nearly extinct northern white rhino subspecies.