March Third is World Wildlife Day

Here are six animal species that came off the endangered list and why.

“It’s extremely important, as a writer, we give a voice to those who don’t have voices, including the other animals we share the planet with and the places that are endangered or being lost.”–Alison Hawthorne Deming

World Wildlife Day is a great way to celebrate the progress of protecting endangered species and their habitats. Today, we can recognize the remarkable efforts of conservationists, scientists, neighbors, and ourselves, who are dedicated to preserving wildlife. Conservation efforts like practicing Meatless Mondays, building an Owl house, and carrying your own water bottle to reduce single-use plastic all help protect wild animals worldwide. This day also serves as a platform to raise awareness that everyone has a stake in continuing sustainable practices that ensure our treasured wildlife and, in doing so, the health of our planet earth.

Through committed conservation efforts, here are six animal species no longer considered endangered and ways you can help protect and increase their numbers.

Bald Eagle: The national bird of the United States was once on the brink of extinction because of DDT, an insecticide used to control mosquitoes. Hunting and power line electrocution also contributed to their decline. At one point, it was estimated that there were fewer than 1000 birds. However, because of the Federal Government in 1973, bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list, and their population has been steadily increasing. Today, it is estimated that there are over 316,000. Continuing restrictions are in place to ensure the bald eagle population continues growing and thriving.

Giant Pandas: These wild Giants were upgraded from endangered to vulnerable in 2016 because their numbers rebounded after years of decline. China, the main home of the wild pandas, adopted reforestation methods in the country’s highlands. Today, between 1800 and 2000, pandas live in protected reserves. However, more must be done to protect their habitat from infrastructure projects that destroy the bamboo forests they need for food.

Kiwi Bird (Northern Brown variety): Kiwis are the national bird of New Zealand. The northern brown kiwi variety was once on the brink of…