How to Classify Endangered Animals
- 1). Determine whether the species faces immediate threat. Wildlife biologists and ecologists observe the species to see if there is a current or future threat to its habitat. This include alterations in the species' range that could affect feeding and reproduction.
- 2). Study the impact of commercial, educational, recreational and scientific use of the species. If the species is determined to be over-utilized by these factors, it can be classified as endangered and listed for protection.
- 3). Determine whether there are factors that threaten the species' survival. These factors include natural and human-caused threats. For example, a wildfire that destroys most of the population of an isolated plant species could qualify that species for protection.
- 4). Measure the population for excessive loss due to disease or predation. Over-predation or disease can quickly reduce a species' population and genetic diversity, threatening the continuation of its existence.
- 5). Determine whether the species lacks regulatory mechanisms. Regulatory mechanisms includes permits for hunting or the number of human takes of a specific species.
- 6). Measure the degree of threat to the species' survival. This is the final determining factor for classifying an endangered species. When a species is in imminent danger of extinction without protection, it is classified as endangered.
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