Millions of years ago, alligators lived side by side with dinosaurs. Unlike dinos, alligators still roam Earth. But one species—the American alligator—was nearly wiped out.

By the 1960s, humans had killed enough of these giant reptiles to put the species in danger. Alligator skin is used to make leather products, including shoes and bags. In 1973, the animals became one of the first species to be protected by the ESA.

Since 1987, they haven’t been considered endangered. But American alligators remain protected under the ESA. Why? A close relative, the American crocodile, is in danger of dying out. The two species look very similar. Experts worry that hunters could confuse crocs with alligators.

Millions of years ago, alligators lived side by side with dinosaurs. Unlike dinos, alligators still roam Earth. But one species was nearly wiped out: the American alligator.

Humans had killed many of these giant reptiles. By the 1960s, the species was in danger. Alligator skin is used to make leather products. These include shoes and bags. In 1973, the alligator became one of the first species to be protected by the ESA.

Since 1987, American alligators haven’t been considered endangered. But they remain protected under the ESA. Why? A close relative is in danger of dying out. That’s the American crocodile. The two species look very similar. Experts worry that hunters could confuse crocs with alligators.

The bald eagle represents strength and freedom. That’s why it’s a symbol of America. It’s also a symbol of the ESA’s success.

In 1963, only about 400 pairs of bald eagles were left in the U.S., not including Alaska. One reason was a chemical called DDT. Farmers used it to kill insects. But DDT also harmed bald eagles and other birds.

In the 1970s, the U.S. banned the chemical and added bald eagles to the endangered species list. The law also protected some areas where the bald eagles live.

These rules helped the birds, and they were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. There are now more than 300,000 bald eagles soaring across most of the United States.

The bald eagle represents strength and freedom. That’s why it’s a symbol of America. It’s also a symbol of the ESA’s success.

In 1963, only about 400 pairs of bald eagles were left in the U.S., not including Alaska. One reason was a chemical called DDT. Farmers used it to kill insects. But DDT also harmed bald eagles. It harmed other birds too.

In the 1970s, the U.S. banned the chemical. It also added bald eagles to the endangered species list. The law also protected some areas where the bald eagles live.

These rules helped the birds. They were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Now more than 300,000 bald eagles soar across most of the United States.

These sea creatures are huge. They can weigh as much as 2,500 pounds. Eastern Steller sea lions eat up to 35 pounds of fish in a single meal!

That’s one reason they were in danger of dying out. Fishermen often shot the hungry sea lions to keep them from eating fish in an area. 

By the late 1970s, only about 18,000 eastern Steller sea lions remained in the wild. In 1990, they were added to the endangered species list. Part of the ESA’s plan was to teach people about the animals and where they live. 

Twenty years later, the population had risen to more than 70,000. This sea lion was removed from the list in 2013.

These sea creatures are huge. They can weigh as much as 2,500 pounds. Eastern Steller sea lions eat up to 35 pounds of fish in one meal!

That’s one reason they were in danger of dying out. Fishermen often shot hungry sea lions. They wanted to keep the animals from eating fish in an area. 

By the late 1970s, only about 18,000 eastern Steller sea lions remained in the wild. In 1990, they were added to the endangered species list. Part of the ESA’s plan was to teach people about the animals and where they live. 

Twenty years later, the population had risen to more than 70,000. This sea lion was removed from the list in 2013.