Rocky Celebrates Commitment To Wildlife Protection 10th Annual Endangered Species Day Special Program

Black-footed ferret

Courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife

News Release Date: May 12, 2015

Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

On Friday, May 15, Rocky Mountain National Park will celebrate endangered species success stories, especially the protection and recovery of many species of threatened and endangered wildlife in the park. Rocky's event will be from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. Endangered Species Day is a celebration of the nation's wildlife and wild places. The goal of Endangered Species Day is simple, to highlight the importance of protecting and recovering our rare, threatened, and endangered animal and plant species. United States Fish and Wildlife Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife representatives will detail the exciting story of the black-footed ferret recovery in general and reintroductions in specific Colorado locations. The Black-footed Ferret Recovery Team will bring a live ferret for all to meet!

Endangered Species Day provides an opportunity to celebrate America's commitment to protecting our wildlife. It is a great opportunity to learn about our nation's wildlife and get involved in protecting endangered species and their habitats. In Colorado, the black-footed ferret is making a remarkable recovery thanks to efforts to protect these animals and their homes. Without these efforts, we might have lost this species forever.  A commitment to protect rare wildlife ensures that all Americans can enjoy living side-by-side with wildlife and special plants for generations to come.

One reason for the nation's success in protecting wildlife is the passage, 40 years ago, of the federal Endangered Species Act. The Endangered Species Act has successfully prevented the extinction of hundreds of species, including the humpback whale, Kirtland's warbler, and bull trout. Many of our nation's signature species, such as the Florida panther, Hawaiian monk seal, and Alabama red-bellied turtle, owe their continued existence to the protections of the Act. The significant success of the Act shows that only nine animals out of the more than 1,800 species listed as endangered under the Act have been declared extinct; without the Act we likely would have lost dozens of more species from the planet.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at [phone].