An endangered species is a species that is likely to become extinct in the near future, either in a specific geographic area or worldwide. A large percentage, perhaps more than half, of the world's species could currently be classified as endangered, due to such factors as habitat loss, climate change, poaching and invasive species.
Many countries have established laws and various programs that protect their endangered species, such as forbidding hunting, restricting land use, captive breeding and habitat restoration. Some countries also have laws to protect species that live in other countries, particularly restrictions on the importing of certain animals and plants and of products made from them.