What is the Endangered Species Act? 

Since 1973, The Endangered Species Act has provided special protections for fish, wildlife, and plants that are listed as threatened or endangered. It has simplified the process of adding species to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s list of threatened and endangered species, and puts them on a path to recovery.
 

Which animals are protected under the Endangered Species Act? 

Several species that you know and love at Brookfield Zoo Chicago are protected under the Endangered Species Act! Among others, these include:

• • Polar bears
• • Mexican wolves
• • Blanding’s turtles
• • Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles
• • Puerto Rican crested toads

 

Why do we need the Endangered Species Act? 

The Endangered Species Act plays a critical role in preventing the extinction of imperiled wildlife by establishing legal safeguards that protect species from the most significant threats to their survival. Because of this law, we’ve seen endangered species survive with safeguards that help prevent:
 

• • Habitat loss due to deforestation or resource extraction through actions like drilling
• • Other human activities that exploit the species
• • Severe population declines that could lead to extinction.

 

What are the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act? 

One of the biggest changes is a proposal to remove the ESA’s Threatened Species Blanket Rule (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0029). The Blanket Rule is extremely important because it automatically extends the same protections given to endangered species to all newly listed threatened species, quickly providing prohibitions on harming, killing or trading the species. If the Blanket Rule is rescinded, species-specific rules would have to be enacted, imposing additional procedural delays and uncertainty at the most critical time for the species' survival. And with more and more species in danger each year, that’s a risk that we as a country cannot afford to take.
 

What can I do to help make sure we continue to protect animals and their habitats? 

You can take action today! Help save species by submitting a comment to the Federal Register opposing the proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act here. You can use the text below to help you write your comment!
 
For over fifty years, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has played a major role in protecting wildlife, preventing nearly 99% of listed species from becoming extinct. This legislation has had support across the country since 1973 because safeguarding America’s wildlife is not only a responsibility, but a proud part of our nation’s history.

The proposed change to remove the ESA’s Blanket 4(d) Rule will result in fewer protections for threatened species and compromise the ESA’s mission. It is imperative to maintain our commitment to protecting endangered species and their habitats.

I encourage the Administration to withdraw all proposed changes to the ESA in order to ensure our country’s wildlife will continue to be protected for generations to come.

SUBMIT A COMMENT TODAY