“Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed with.” (Endangered Species Act ESA) Animals have been an essential factor of human development. They provide individuals with the two most important resources, which are food and clothing. There are approximately 2 million identified species in the world, 70% of the world’s species mainly located in: Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Peru, and Zaire. (How Many Species are There?) Of these recognized species, almost 10,800 animals are either threatened or endangered. The United States government finally began to realize what was occurring with the increase in animal extinction, and approved an act on December 28, 1973 that would protect them.

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The ESA consisted of many ways to prevent the extinction of animals and plants and maintain the conservation of the ecosystem. Although the extinction of animals have been a part of nature, it has come to the point where a large amount of animals are becoming extinct during a short period of time. The main cause of extinction is from habitat destruction, introduction of foreign species, pollution of chemicals, and over exploitation. In today’s society, there are many ways to contribute the promotion of saving species. The most common ways are by donating to existing organizations or educating the community on ways to prevent the extinction of animals.

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By 2025, it is estimated that as many as one fifth of all animal species may be lost, gone forever. During recent times, hundreds of species have gone extinct as a result of human activities which include: habitat destruction by logging, pollution of water, soil, and air; unregulated fishing which deplete fish stocks, and illegal hunting in order to supply for the demand of skins, food, and tourist souvenirs all threatens species' existence. Extinction is forever, therefore it is necessary that we act now before time runs out.