The Endangered Species Act

 THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The Lead federal agencies for implementing ESA are. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) The FWS maintains a worldwide list of endangered species.

1. What does the Endangered Species Act do?

Passed with bipartisan support in 1973, the law allows individuals and organizations to petition to have a species listed as endangered or threatened.

2) Does the Endangered Species Act protect only species in the US, or also species overseas?

The current law protects species native to the US in several ways. As just a few examples, the law:

1. Prohibits harming or killing or endangered species;
2. Bans the import and export of endangered species;
3. Requires protection for land and water vital to species recovery plans for listed species. 

Wildlife found in other countries is also protected by the ESA through the prohibition or regulation of trade in live animals or their parts and products across US borders and in interstate commerce. ESA also increases funding for their conservation.