The Endangered Species Act was approved by Congress and signed by President Nixon in 1973 in the wake of scientific findings that America was in danger of losing its iconic species that meant much to very many people. The act seeks to protect many species of animals, including birds, mammals and fish, as well as plants  – and categorizes species of concern as threatened or endangered. An endangered species is one in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than insects that are regarded as pests. A Threatened species is one likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future within its range.