By Josie March 22nd, 2024
Once endangered by hunting and pesticides, the national bird of the United States has made a remarkable recovery thanks to legal protection and conservation efforts.
Faced with habitat loss and unregulated hunting, the American alligator was once on the brink of extinction.
At one point, this species was down to an alarming 22 individuals in the wild before a captive breeding program helped increase their numbers.
After being nearly eradicated in the lower 48 states, reintroduction and legal protection have helped restore populations in several areas.
Native to California’s Channel Islands, this fox species faced extinction due to disease and predation by non-native species.
Hunted to near extinction for their oil-rich blubber, these seals have rebounded in the absence of hunting, with their population now in the hundreds of thousands.
Once endangered by whaling, humpback whales have seen their numbers increase significantly since the 1970s due to international protection.
The world’s fastest bird was once endangered by pesticide use but has bounced back thanks to bans on harmful chemicals and breeding programs.
Nearly driven to extinction in the 19th century, conservation efforts have helped restore bison populations in several areas across the U.S.
Threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and pollution, conservation measures have helped increase nesting sites and populations in the U.S.
Also known as sea cows, these gentle giants have benefited from habitat protection and speed restrictions on boats in their habitats.
The main reason for their perilous situation was the drastic decline in their favorite food: prairie dogs.