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Spanish Sulphur Horse are Endangered Species
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When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973, it recognized that our rich natural heritage is of “esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational and scientific value to our Nation and its people.” It further expressed concern that many of our nation’s NATIVE plants and ANIMALS were in danger of becoming extinct. The purpose of the ESA is to PROTECT and RECOVER imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. |
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| The 1973 Act implemented the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (T.I.A.S. 8249), signed by the United States on March 3, 1973 and the Convention on Nature Protection and Wildlife Preservation in the Western Hemisphere (50 Stat. 1354), signed by the United States on October 12, 1940. | |
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| Under the ESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. “ENDANGERED” means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. “THREATENED” means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. ALL SPECIES OF plants and ANIMALS, except pest insects, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LISTING AS ENDANGERED OR THREATENED. For the purposes of the ESA, Congress defined species to include subspecies, varieties and for vertebrates, distinct population segments. | |
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| Through federal action and by encouraging the establishment of state programs, the 1973 Endangered Species Act provided for the conservation of ecosystems upon which threatened and endangered species of fish, wildlife, and plants depend. The Act: | |
| 1) Authorizes the determination and listing of species as endangered and threatened; | |
| 2) Prohibits unauthorized taking, possession, sale and transport of endangered species; | |
| 3) Provides authority to acquire land for the conservation of listed species, using land and water conservation funds; | |
| 4) Authorizes establishment of cooperative agreements and grants-in-aid to States that establish and maintain active and adequate programs for endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; | |
| 5) Authorizes the assessment of civil and criminal penalties for violating the Act or regulations; and authorizes the payment of rewards to anyone furnishing information leading to arrest and conviction for any violation of the Act or any regulation issued there under. | |
| Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act requires Federal agencies to insure that any action authorized, funded or carried out by them is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or modify their critical habitat. http://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/ | |
