The Endangered Species Act was enacted by Congress in 1973 to protect species threatened with extinction. To receive protection, a species must first be listed as endangered or threatened.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/news/many-endangered-species-face-long-waits-protection
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/newspaper/science-daily
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/wildlife
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/endangered-species
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/wildlife-management
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/biodiversity-conservation
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/reptiles
[8] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/fish
[9] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/birds
[10] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/amphibians
[11] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/mammals