QUESTION: What is an "Endangered Species"?

ANSWER:    An endangered species is an animal or plant that's considered at risk of extinction. Extinction is the state
                   or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless.  In the U.S. alone, there are 1675
                   endangered species. Species become endangered for two main reasons: loss of habitat and loss of genetic
                   variation.  We will also discuss extinction.

Whooping Crane 

The whooping crane’s elegance will make a great watercolor. The whooping crane is the tallest North American bird, named for its
whooping sound. Along with the sandhill crane, it is one of only two crane species native to North America. The whooping crane's
lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. After being pushed to the brink of extinction by unregulated hunting and loss
of habitat, there were only 21 wild whooping cranes and two captive whooping cranes in 1941. Conservation efforts have led to a
limited recovery.