Definitions for "Endangered Species Act"
Enacted in 1973 to protect species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and listed as endangered, threatened, or proposed to be listed by the Secretary of the Interior.
regulation that protects species of animal or plant that has been identified as in danger of becoming extinct because of harmful human activity or environmental factors (Morris 1992).
This is a federal law that first passed in 1973, and continues to be amended, revised and reauthorized today. The ESA was established to help protect U.S. species from extinction. Species whose populations are in genuine decline are listed as 'threatened species', while those whose populations become some low that they may go extinct are listed as 'endangered species'. Both listing prohibit any form of interference with these species other then approved conservation, protection and recovery efforts.