Endangered Species

Resource Information

We humans may be too successful. In expanding over the earth, we have extinguished many forms of life and threatened the existence of still others, greatly accelerating the natural rate of extinction. This weakens the system on which all life depends and impoverishes the quality of our life. Fortunately, many countries and groups are taking steps to stop this loss. The National Park Service's role is to provide undisturbed habitat in the United States where all species, including endangered ones, can continue to exist, subject only to the forces of nature. There have been successes, in parks and elsewhere, and this is a symbol of hope. For it signifies that we can stop the worldwide slide of extinction that we started.
The effort to halt human-caused extinctions in the United States is guided by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This act defines an "endangered species" as any plant or animal species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A "threatened species" is one that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The goal of the act is to restore all federally listed endangered threatened species to the point where they are again viable, self-sustaining members of ecological communities.
The major federal legislation protecting endangered species is the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Following the Federal Government’s lead, Texas passed its own endangered species laws later that same year. In general, species that are federally listed as endangered or threatened are also listed by states. However, a species listed by a state may not be listed federally. This is the case with the black bear (Ursusamericanus) which is uncommon in the park. Only federal legislation, however, mandates the protection of critical habitat of endangered species, often the key to recovery. In Big Bend National Park, ALL habitats are protected, benefiting all species irrespective of their status.
Extinct from the park for more than 40 years, black bears migrated from northern Mexico mountains to reestablish a small population within the park during the late 1980s. Although the Chisos Mountains are the most likely place in Texas to see a black bear, a key to their success will be managing the recreational habits of people, namely where and how food and garbage are stored.

Mexican long-nosed bat
© Photo courtesy J. Scott Altenbach
The Mexican Long-nosed bat (Leptonycterisnivalis) occurs in the U.S. only in Big Bend where a single colony resides in the Chisos Mountains. Their diet consists of flower pollen and nectar and their migration between the park and Latin America is timed to coincide with the blooming of specific plants, including the century plant (Agave havardiana).
One problem for bats in general is their bad reputation as vampires and carriers of rabies, often leading to their mass destruction. An additional problem is the harvesting of agaves, without re-vegetation, for the production of tequila. Any loss in this food source is especially critical considering the mammal's high metabolic rate during migration and while roosting in cool caves. Once populations decrease, recovery is difficult because each fertile female only produces one offspring each year. In Big Bend, their numbers appear to fluctuate year to year, but current census techniques may be inaccurate and the true population status of these bats is unknown. Better census techniques must be developed to better interpret the status of these bats.

Black-capped vireos are very distinctly marked and have had many successful years recently in Big Bend National Park.
NPS Photo
A number of plants and animals in Big Bend National Park are listed federally for protection. Among them are the black-capped vireo, Mexican long-nosed bat, Big Bend gambusia, Rio Grande silvery minnow, and Chisos hedgehog cactus.
Along with these are also species that are listed as threatened or endangered in the state of Texas, by Texas Parks and Wildlife. This state list includes the above species along with the American black bear and the Texas horned lizard.
EVERGLADES: THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
Everglades Snail Kite
courtesy National Park Service
Threatened and Endangered Species include:
  • Plants
  • American Alligator
  • American Crocodile
  • Sea Turtles
  • Birds
  • Florida Panther
  • Manatee

Threatened wildlife includes species, subspecies, or isolated populations that are likely to become endangered in the near future unless steps are taken to protect and manage the species and/or its habitat for its survival. A species, subspecies, or isolated population is considered endangered that is, or soon may be, in immediate danger of extinction unless the species or its habitat is fully protected. Each species must be listed on the Federal list of endangered and threatened species before it can receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. The ESA was enacted in 1973 to conserve and set up recovery plans for listed species and associated habitats.

Tree Cactus
courtesy U.S. Geological Survey

Plants

Threatened and endangered plantlife of the hardwood hammocks and rocky pinelands include the brittle thatch palm (Thrinaxmorrissii), buccaneer palm (Pseudophoenixsargentii), Florida thatch palm (Thrinaxparvitolia), Krug's holly (Ilex krugiana), lignum-vitae (Guaiacum sanctum), manchineel (Hippomanemancinella), silver thatch palm (Coccothrinaxargentata), and tree cactus (Cereus robinii).

American Alligator
courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

American alligator and American crocodile

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is also found in the freshwater marshes of the Everglades. It was first listed as endangered in 1966 in accordance with the Endangered Species Act. However, populations quickly recovered resulting in delisting as an endangered species except for purposes of its similarity of appearance to the American crocodile (Crocodylusacutus) where the two species share habitat.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
©George Ryschkewitsch

Sea Turtles

Marine and estuarine habitats of the Everglades provide habitat for threatened and endangered species. The Florida population of green sea turtles (Cheloniamydas) has been considered endangered since 1978. The declining population has been victim to commercial harvesting for eggs and food as well as incidental by-catch in the shrimp fishery. Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelysimbricata), Atlantic Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelyskempii), and leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelyscoriacea) are all listed as endangered species while the loggerhead sea turtle (Carettacaretta) is considered threatened under the protection of the ESA. Recovery plans have been established for all listed sea turtle species.

Piping Plover
courtesy Paul Fusco/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Birds

Many threatened and endangered species live throughout the Everglades. Threatened and endangered birds include the Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamussociabilis), wood stork (Mycteriaamericana), Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramusmaritimus mirabilis), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), piping plover (Charadriusmelodus), bald eagle (Haliaeetusleucocephalus), and roseate tern (Sterna dougallii).

Florida Panther
courtesy U.S. Department of Tranportation

Florida Panther

Primary threats to the Florida panther's (Felisconcolorcoryi) survival are loss and degradation of habitat. An initial recovery plan is currently being implemented which identifies, protects, and enhances the existing range and habitats; establishes positive public opinion and support; and reintroduces panthers into areas of suitable habitat. It is estimated there are 70-100 individuals living in the hardwood hammocks of the Everglades.

Manatee
courtesy Everglades National Park Photo

Manatee

Federally listed as endangered, the manatee (Trichechusmanatuslaterostris) is a large, slow-moving, plant-eating aquatic mammal. Its distribution is determined primarily by water temperature as manatees cannot survive long in water below about 63 °F (17 °C). In Florida, manatees often migrate into warm spring-fed rivers or near the heated discharges of power plants during winter months. As offshore waters warm in late spring and summer, manatees move out into shallow fresh, brackish, and seawater habitats.
For more information on the numerous threatened and endangered species in Florida, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's List of Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species and Species of Special Concern.

Inventory of Threatened and Endangered Species in South Florida National Parks

Glossary of Terms
Endangered - a species, subspecies or isolated population that is, or soon may be, in immediate danger of extinction unless the species or its habitat is fully protected and managed for its survival.
Threatened - a species, subspecies or isolated population that is very likely to become endangered in the near future unless the species or its habitat is fully protected and managed for its survival
South Florida National Parks:
BICY - Big Cypress National Preserve
BISC - Biscayne National Park
DRTO - Dry Tortugas National Park
EVER - Everglades National Park
Special Note: This list includes only Federally listed species, and does not list candidate or state-listed species.
Species / Federal Status / Park / Current Situation
American Alligator, / Threatened / BICY / Breeding
Alligator mississippiensis / BISC / Casual
DRTO / --
EVER / Breeding
American Crocodile, / Threatened / BICY / --
Crocodylusacutus / BISC / Casual
DRTO / Reported
EVER / Breeding
Artic Peregrine Falcon, / Threatened / BICY / Migrant
Falco peregrinustundrius / BISC / Wintering
DRTO / Migrant
EVER / Wintering
Atlantic Ridley Turtle, / Endangered / BICY / --
Lepidochelyskempi / BISC / --
DRTO / Casual
EVER / Casual
Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, / Endangered / BICY / Breeding
Ammodramus maritime mirabilis / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Breeding
Crenulate Lead Plant, / Endangered / BICY / --
Amorphacrenulata / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Resident
Eastern Indigo Snake, / Threatened / BICY / Breeding
Drymarchoncoriascouperi / BISC / Casual
DRTO / --
EVER / Breeding
Florida Panther, / Endangered / BICY / Breeding
Puma concolorcoryi / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Breeding
Garber's Spurge, / Endangered / BICY / --
Chamaesycegarberi / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Resident
Green Turtle, / Endangered / BICY / --
Cheloniamydas / BISC / Casual
DRTO / Breeding
EVER / Casual
Hawksbill Turtle,
Eretmochelysimbricata / Endangered / BICY / --
BISC / Resident
DRTO / Resident
EVER / Casual
Key Largo Cotton Mouse, / Endangered / BICY / --
Peromyscusgossypinusallapaticola / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Casual?
Key Largo Woodrat, / Endangered / BICY / --
Neotomafloridanasmaili / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Casual?
Leatherback Turtle, / Endangered / BICY / --
Dermochelyscoriacea / BISC / Breeding
DRTO / Casual?
EVER / Casual?
Loggerhead Turtle, / Endangered / BICY / --
Carettacaretta / BISC / Breeding
DRTO / Breeding
EVER / Breeding
Piping Plover, / Threatened / BICY / --
Charadriusmelodus / BISC / --
DRTO / Wintering
EVER / Migrant
Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, / Endangered / BICY / Breeding
Picoides borealis / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Formerly
Roseate Tern, / Threatened / BICY / --
Sterna dougailii / BISC / --
DRTO / Breeding
EVER / Wintering
Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, / Endangered / BICY / --
Papilioaristodemusponceanus / BISC / Breeding
DRTO / --
EVER / Casual?
Snail (Everglades) Kite, / Endangered / BICY / Casual
Rostrhamussociabilisplumbeus / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Breeding
Stock Island Tree Snail, / Threatened / BICY / --
Orthalicusresee / BISC / --
DRTO / --
EVER / Introduced
West Indian Manatee, / Endangered / BICY / Casual
Trichechusmanatus / BISC / Resident
DRTO / Reported
EVER / Breeding
Wood Stork, / Endangered / BICY / Breeding
Mycteriaamericana / BISC / Casual
DRTO / --
EVER / Breeding