The manatee is among the best known of Georgia's endangered species.
There are 62 species of plants and animals protected under the United States Endangered Species Act that live in Georgia, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In addition to those listed as endangered, dozens of other animals are listed as threatened, rare or unusual. Those species that are endangered, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are those in danger of extinction throughout their range. In contrast, species that are threatened face a strong likelihood of becoming endangered in the near future.
Whales
Both the right whale and humpback whale are endangered and live in Georgia's coastal waters. According to the University of Georgia Museum of Natural History, there may be as few as 300 individual right whales alive in the world. The right whale comes into Georgia's shallow coastal waters to calve from November to March. In addition to being listed as endangered, the right whale is considered a high priority animal in the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan. The humpback whale, which is threatened by entanglement in commercial fishing gear and by disturbances from boats, comes into the state's coastal waters during its migration.
Bats
Both the gray bat and the Indiana bat are among Georgia's endangered species. The gray bat is threatened by human disturbances, vandalism in caves, pesticides and loss of prey. The Indiana bat faces many of the same threats along with deforestation reducing its populations. Indiana bat females form maternity colonies within hollow trees in woodland areas. Both of the bat species are listed as high priority animals in the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan.
West Indian Manatee
The West Indian manatee, a marine mammal that can weigh up to 2,500 pounds, lives in Georgia's coastal waters during its summer migration. The population of manatees was once threatened by over-harvesting and now faces continued threats from collisions with boats, barges and canal locks. The manatee is also losing habitat. Laws protect the manatee from hunting, taking and harassment. The manatee is listed as a high priority animal in the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan.
Birds
Three species of birds in Georgia are listed as endangered. The Kirtland warbler appears on Georgia's coasts during its migration to the Bahamas each winter. The wood stork lives in the southeast wetlands of Georgia and faces threats from a decline in habitat. The red-cockaded woodpecker lives in the state's pine forests and is also threatened by loss of its habitat. All three bird species are listed as high priority animals in the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan.
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