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Searching for CluesSearching for SolutionsUnscramble the letters of the namesof the endangered species to solve thepuzzle. Then, divide your class intogroups, and assign each group one ofthe species. Find library books aboutthe animals and conservation effortsto save them. Write group reportsabout what you have learned. Presentyour findings to your class.NATURALWINNERS!?In 1970, one of the biggest worries of those organizing Earth Day was the disappearanceof species. In fact, the first Earth Day led Congress to pass theEndangered Species Act, which gives the federal government the right to namespecies as rare, threatened or endangered, and provides protections for plants andanimals on the list.Brown pelicans, buffalo, peregrine falcons, American alligators, bald eagles andtimber wolves were animals people wanted protected quickly, for the numbers ofeach were declining quickly. Not only did the law make it illegal to hunt theseanimals, but the law required state and federal wildlife officials to devise plans toproduce larger numbers of these animals. More than 30 years later, the numbersof each of these animals has increased dramatically.Below are eight more endangered species. They are deeply in trouble. Thesuccess stories of their survival depend on caring and persistent conservationefforts. Think about how you can be part of the solution.Check Out The Newspaper!Learning standard: recognizing the need toprotect endangered species◆ Are any of the endangered specieslisted here found in the communitywhere you live? Are local groups organizedto protect them? Write a letterto the editor of your newspaper lettingthem know what you think aboutprotecting this animal. Use the editorialpage to see how they are written.MORE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT◆ More than 1,000 species are on theendangered species list. How manyhave been removed from the listbecause their situation improved? Isthat better or worse than you’d expectafter 30 years of listing species?◆ What do you know about wolves?Would you mind a wolf pack living in aforest near your home?Photos: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and NationalOceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationANSWER KEY:1. Orangutan, 2.Black Rhino, 3. WhoopingCrane, 4. Cheetah, 5. Shark, 6. Grizzly Bear,7. Tiger, 8. Manatee.81. A large ape native to Southeast Asia G N A T O R U N A2. A very rare, fast-charging grass grazer C L A B K H I R O N____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____3. A stilt-legged American wading bird P H O N I W O G R E N C A4. The fastest cat on Earth T H E A C H E5. The biggest fish in the ocean H A K R S____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ____ ____6. A giant of the American West Z R I L Z G Y R A B E7. A striped Asian predator G R I T E8. A slow-swimming Floridian T A N A M E E____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ____ ________ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____