Endangered Animals in Arkansas: What They Are and What the Law Requires

Arkansas is far more biodiverse than most people realize — and that biodiversity comes with legal responsibilities that apply to every resident, landowner, hiker, and developer in the state.

Whether you own land near a river, spot an unusual bird on a trail, or manage property in the Ozarks, understanding which animals are protected and what you can and cannot do around them isn’t optional — it’s the law. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about endangered animals in Arkansas, from how species get listed to the penalties for harming them.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in Arkansas

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a means to conserve the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend and to provide programs to prevent their extinction. It remains the backbone of wildlife protection in Arkansas and across the country.

The Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries administer the law. The Fish and Wildlife Service has primary responsibility for terrestrial and freshwater organisms, while NOAA Fisheries handles mainly marine species.

The list is dynamic. Species are added and removed, as well as reclassified or moved between endangered and threatened. That means the number of protected animals in Arkansas can change from year to year as new data becomes available.

Key Insight: An “endangered” species is one in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. A “threatened” species is one likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Both categories receive legal protection under the ESA.

A species, subspecies, or distinct population segment of a species may be listed as endangered or threatened under Section 4 of the ESA upon petition or by voluntary review by the Services. It can take years for wildlife officials to compile the evidence necessary to submit a species for consideration, and upwards of 12 months for USFWS to review these materials to determine if a species warrants listing as threatened or endangered.

At the state level, Arkansas declares a public policy of “promoting sound management, conservation, and public awareness of Arkansas’ rich diversity of native plant and nongame animals,” including species that are “rare, threatened, endangered or are of special significance to the state.”

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) maintains a dynamic biodiversity database that tracks the location and status of rare species of animals and plants as well as natural communities in Arkansas. This state-level tracking system goes well beyond the federal list and helps guide conservation planning across the state. You can learn more about how other states manage their own imperiled wildlife by reading about endangered animals in Washington and endangered animals in Virginia.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in Arkansas

When people talk about “endangered animals,” they’re often referring to the federal list — but Arkansas operates on two parallel tracks of protection that you need to understand.

Today, Arkansas is home to 36 federally listed species and hundreds of others that aren’t on the official “endangered” list but are vulnerable nonetheless, according to state agencies. This gap between federal and state protection is significant for landowners and wildlife observers alike.

Feature	Federally Listed (ESA)	State-Listed (ANHC / AGFC)
Governing Law	Endangered Species Act of 1973	Arkansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act
Administered By	U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / NOAA	Arkansas Game & Fish Commission / ANHC
Species Count	36+ listed species	70+ plants and animals (rare, threatened, endangered)
Take Prohibition	Yes — strict federal penalties apply	Yes — state regulations apply
Private Land Applicability	Yes — applies on all land types	Yes — state rules apply statewide

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed 32 species in Arkansas as endangered. The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission’s state list of rare species includes more than 70 plants and animals.

State law may be more restrictive than the ESA — but not less. That means Arkansas can add protections beyond what the federal government requires, but it cannot weaken federal protections. The Natural Heritage Commission currently tracks 1,033 rare species of plants and animals, though that number changes as new data becomes available.

Important Note: Being on the state rare species list doesn’t guarantee federal protection — but it does mean the species is monitored and may be subject to state regulations. Always check both the federal ESA list and the AGFC/ANHC state list before conducting any activity that could affect local wildlife.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in Arkansas

Arkansas’s varied topography — from the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains to the Mississippi Delta — supports a remarkable range of wildlife. Arkansas has many plant and animal species, partly because of varied topography and a temperate climate. That same diversity, however, makes the state home to a substantial number of at-risk animals.

Here are some of the most notable endangered animals you may encounter in the state:

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis)
In the early 1900s, John James Audubon reported these birds were found “abundantly” in the pine forests of the southeastern United States. Historically, this woodpecker’s range extended from Florida to New Jersey and as far west as Texas and Oklahoma, with an original population of 1.5 million. Today it is estimated there are only 15,000 birds. Red-cockaded woodpeckers live in mature, open pine forests, which have been greatly reduced.

Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)
In Arkansas, the largest hibernating colony of this small, insect-eating bat is at Sherfield Cave, which lies beneath The Nature Conservancy’s Smith Creek Preserve near the Buffalo National River. Indiana bats roost and give birth in hollow trees or under loose tree bark and feed in forested areas, making the conservation of forests as important as protecting the caves in which they hibernate. Arkansas is also home to two other endangered bats — the Ozark big-eared bat and the gray myotis.

Pro Tip: White-nose syndrome is a major threat to Arkansas’s bat populations. This wildlife health crisis is named for the white fungus found on the muzzles and wings of affected bats. WNS was first documented at four sites in eastern New York in winter 2006, and the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was confirmed in Arkansas in 2013. Avoid disturbing bat caves, especially during hibernation season.

Cave Crayfish (Two Species)
The Hell Creek Cave Crayfish (Cambarus zophonastes) and the Benton County Cave Crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum) are both completely adapted to life underground — they have no eyes or skin pigmentation. Combined, these crayfish are known to live in just six subterranean sites in north Arkansas. As caverns and aquifers are often interconnected, protecting water quality above and below ground is critical to these creatures’ survival.

Whooping Crane (Grus americana)
The whooping crane is among the rarest birds in North America and is listed on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s endangered species list. It migrates through the state seasonally and is strictly protected under both federal and state law.

Ivory-Billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis)
The ivory-billed woodpecker is a long-disappeared bird whose continued survival in the wild has been a point of contention following a 2004 sighting reported in east Arkansas. It remains listed under Arkansas state regulations, though its status is one of the most debated in American conservation history.

Speckled Pocketbook Mussel
Since 2018, a collaborative initiative involving the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery, the Arkansas Ecological Service Field Office, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has focused on the conservation of the endangered speckled pocketbook mussel. Freshwater mussels like this one are among the most imperiled animal groups in the state. You can also read about extinct animals to understand what’s at stake when conservation efforts fail.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in Arkansas

Federal and state law place strict limits on how you can interact with — or even indirectly affect — endangered animals. Understanding these prohibitions is essential whether you’re a hiker, a farmer, or a developer.

The Endangered Species Act makes the taking of an animal on the endangered or threatened species list illegal. According to the act, to “take” is to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or attempt to engage in any such conduct.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service further defines “harm” to mean “an act which actually kills or injures wildlife.” Harassment of a species is defined as “an intentional or negligent act or omission which creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.”

• Hunting or trapping any federally or state-listed endangered species is prohibited without specific federal authorization.
• Disturbing nesting or roosting sites — such as bat caves or woodpecker cavity trees — can constitute illegal harassment even if no animal is directly touched.
• Collecting or possessing any part of a listed species, including feathers, shells, or bones, is illegal under the ESA and related laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• Habitat destruction that results in actual harm to listed species — such as clearing active nesting areas — can trigger ESA liability.
• Pesticide use in areas with listed species requires special attention. If your pesticide label references an endangered species bulletin, you are legally required to follow both the label instructions and the restrictions outlined in the bulletin.

Common Mistake: Many people assume ESA prohibitions only apply to deliberate harm. They don’t. Negligent acts that disrupt breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior can also result in federal penalties — even if no animal was physically touched.

State governments may apply further restrictions on the taking of an endangered or threatened species. Arkansas’s own regulations, enforced by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, can exceed federal minimums. If you’re curious about other protected wildlife in the state, reviewing venomous animals in Arkansas is a good starting point for understanding which species require extra caution in the field.

Endangered Species on Private Land in Arkansas

One of the most misunderstood aspects of endangered species law is that it applies on private land just as it does on public land. Owning property does not exempt you from ESA requirements.

According to a July 2009 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service report, approximately half of the species listed as endangered or threatened have around 80 percent of their habitat on privately owned land. This makes private landowner compliance especially critical for species survival in Arkansas.

Because federal law prohibits harmful interactions — including an activity that adversely modifies a species’ habitat — with listed species, private property use can be regulated unless a landowner receives federal approval.

If you need to conduct activities on your land that could affect a listed species, you have legal options:

1. Incidental Take Permit (ITP): Private landowners who plan to modify their land can apply for an incidental take permit, which authorizes the incidental taking of a listed species even if a member of the species is potentially harmed. Before a permit is granted, property owners must submit a habitat conservation plan, which must contain information on the relevant and predicted effects of the taking of a listed species, how the effects will be minimized and/or mitigated, and how the plan will be financed.
2. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program: The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools, and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land.
3. Private Lands Biologist Consultation: Several federal agencies have programs that specifically provide money for management of endangered species on private lands or have general wildlife habitat enhancement programs. Contact the nearest Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regional office and ask for a Private Lands Biologist who will be able to provide more information on these programs.

Important Note: Under the Endangered Species Act, the protection of an individual’s property from a listed species is not considered a permissible defense against potential federal penalties. For example, an individual cannot kill a listed animal to prevent damage to a house, a building, or other piece of property unless the individual was also protecting himself or herself from bodily harm.

Landowners interested in proactive conservation can also explore information on stray and unowned animals to better understand wildlife management responsibilities. The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission’s Heritage Program also provides data to private developers and public land use planners to notify them of the location of rare species or biologically sensitive areas early in the planning process.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in Arkansas

If you spot what you believe is an endangered animal in Arkansas, reporting it is one of the most valuable contributions you can make to conservation efforts. Sighting data helps wildlife officials update population maps, track recovery, and prioritize protection efforts.

Here’s where and how to report a sighting:

• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC): The AGFC is the primary state agency for wildlife reporting. You can contact them through their wildlife page or call a regional office directly. If you would like to provide species information, you can call the Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office front desk at (501) 513-4470 to identify the best contact.
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office: The office provides assistance and services to the state, other federal agencies, and the public. In addition to the main office in Conway, Arkansas, there is an Arkansas Delta Sub-office at the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge near Augusta and an Ozark Sub-office near Fayetteville.
• Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC): Data from the Arkansas Heritage Program is used by ANHC staff in the review of specific project-related impacts. Examples include commercial and residential developments, transportation projects, utility construction, landfills, mining, and flood control projects. Data is also provided to private developers and public land use planners to notify them of the location of rare species or biologically sensitive areas early in the planning process.
• iNaturalist: For informal sightings, the iNaturalist app allows you to photograph and geo-tag wildlife observations that feed into scientific databases used by state and federal agencies.

Pro Tip: When reporting a sighting, document as much detail as possible — the date, exact location (GPS coordinates if available), photographs, and a description of the animal’s behavior. The more information you provide, the more useful your report will be to wildlife biologists. Never approach, chase, or disturb the animal during observation.

ANHC staff conduct field surveys to verify historically known rare species and natural community occurrences and to locate previously undocumented occurrences. This survey work can result in the discovery of new populations of rare species, species new to Arkansas, or undocumented natural communities. Your sighting could contribute directly to that work.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in Arkansas

The legal consequences for harming, killing, or otherwise “taking” a protected species in Arkansas can be severe — and they apply regardless of whether the act was intentional.

Federal Civil Penalties

Any individual that knowingly takes a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 by the federal government for each violation. Individuals who unknowingly take a species can be fined up to $500 for each violation or instance.

As of 2023, the ESA authorizes FWS to assess civil penalties of $1,566 for otherwise violating a provision of the ESA, including by negligently harassing a listed animal.

Federal Criminal Penalties

Property owners and developers must understand the potential impacts of their activities on listed species, as an unauthorized take of a listed fish or wildlife species may be subject to civil or criminal liability under Section 11 of the ESA. An individual or organization may receive fines or imprisonment, as well as additional penalties, for each violation — meaning each individual of a listed animal species taken without authorization.

Violation Type	Maximum Federal Penalty
Knowingly taking a listed species	Up to $25,000 per violation + possible imprisonment
Unknowingly taking a listed species	Up to $500 per violation
Negligent harassment or incidental take	Up to $1,566 per violation (civil)
Commercial trade in listed species	Up to $50,000 + up to 1 year imprisonment (per ESA Section 11)

State-Level Enforcement in Arkansas

The regulations in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Code Book are adopted under authority of Amendment 35 to the Constitution of the State of Arkansas. All laws, rules, regulations, or orders in conflict with the regulations in this Code Book are repealed by the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission. This means AGFC enforcement authority is constitutionally grounded and independently enforceable.

Any state law or regulation that addresses taking listed species may be more restrictive than the ESA and the accompanying regulations — but not less. Arkansas can and does impose additional penalties beyond the federal baseline.

Common Mistake: Some people assume that if they didn’t know an animal was endangered, they can’t be penalized. While intent affects the severity of the fine, unknowing violations still carry penalties of up to $500 per instance at the federal level — and state penalties may apply on top of that.

Beyond financial penalties, violations can result in the forfeiture of equipment used in the taking (vehicles, firearms, trapping gear), loss of hunting and fishing licenses, and in serious cases, federal criminal prosecution. Understanding the full scope of what’s protected — from endangered animals in neighboring West Virginia to those in your own backyard — helps you stay informed and legally compliant wherever you are.

If you’re involved in land development, agriculture, or any activity near waterways or forests in Arkansas, consulting with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office before beginning work is one of the best ways to avoid an inadvertent violation. Early consultation protects both wildlife and you. You can also explore related topics like the fastest animals in the world or the biggest animals in the world to broaden your understanding of the animal kingdom and why protecting biodiversity matters.