The US Endangered Species Act is a vital, though controversial, tool in the fight to save species from extinction. It protects everything from polar bears to beach mice to a single species of fly. By isolating some of the protected species on black and white backgrounds, they are given equal consideration (and hopefully equal attention) by readers. Public support of the law is vital to its continuance, saving hundreds of species for future generations.

Last Ones: California Condor

They survived the Ice Age, but condors barely held out against Homo sapiens. Many of these scavengers were shot or poisoned by fragments of lead left behind by hunters. In 1985 just nine wild birds remained. Captive breeding and reduced use of lead ammunition have brought the species back.