Endangered Animals in Maine: State and Federal Protections You Need to Know

Maine is home to more than 57 species currently listed as endangered or threatened — and the laws protecting them apply to every resident, visitor, and landowner in the state. Whether you spot an unusual bird on a coastal marsh, discover a turtle nesting near your property, or plan a construction project near a forested stream, understanding which animals are protected and what you can and cannot do around them is not optional — it’s the law.

In this guide, you’ll find a clear breakdown of how Maine’s endangered species system works, which animals are on the list, what behaviors are prohibited, and what penalties you could face for violations. You’ll also learn what to do if you see one of these protected animals in the wild.

Key Insight: Maine’s endangered species protections operate on two separate legal tracks — state law and federal law — and some animals are covered by both. Knowing which applies in a given situation can make a significant legal difference.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in Maine

The Maine Legislature established the foundation for Maine’s Endangered Species Program when it passed the Maine Endangered Species Act (MESA) in 1975, in response to concerns that various species of fish and wildlife were in danger of disappearing from the state. This act covers all of Maine’s inland fish and wildlife, including invertebrates, and gives the Commissioner of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) the authority to implement MESA.

Based on scientific studies, MDIFW determines whether any species should be listed as either “Endangered” — at risk of becoming extinct in all or a significant portion of its range — or “Threatened,” meaning it is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Where MDIFW finds that a species meets either standard, it makes a formal recommendation to the Legislature.

The Legislature, as sole authority, shall designate a species as a state endangered or state threatened species. This means the listing process is not purely administrative — it requires legislative approval, which gives the system a layer of democratic accountability. By rule, the Department must review all species under its authority once every eight years to determine which species qualify for listing.

Species are added to or deleted from these categories via recommendations by the Commissioner of MDIFW to the Legislature and, ultimately, approval by the Legislature. Other administrative categories — special concern and extirpated — are established by policy, not by regulation, and are used for planning and informational purposes; they do not have the legal weight of the first two categories.

Important Note: The Maine Endangered Species Act applies only to animals — plants are not included in the legislation. The Maine Natural Areas Program maintains an official list of rare and endangered plants in Maine, but those plants carry no equivalent legal protections under MESA.

Once a species is listed, MDIFW develops protection guidelines, including protecting the species’ “essential habitat.” All activities that require a state or local permit within the habitat of an endangered or threatened species are subject to review by MDIFW. This review process is a critical mechanism that brings endangered species considerations into permitting decisions across the state.

You can also compare how this process works in neighboring states, such as endangered animals in Washington and endangered animals in Virginia, to see how state-level protections differ across the country.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in Maine

Maine operates two parallel systems of protection for endangered animals, and it’s important to understand how they interact. Endangered and threatened inland fish and wildlife species in Maine are listed either under Maine’s Endangered Species Act (MESA), the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA), or both. Species listed under MESA receive state protection; species listed under ESA receive federal protection; and species listed under both receive state and federal protection.

Maine maintains its own state-specific list of endangered and threatened species, as required by the Maine Endangered Species Act of 1975. Species that appear on both the federal and state lists receive both state and federal protection. This dual listing is significant because it means stricter rules may apply — a species with both state and federal status is subject to enforcement from both MDIFW and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Endangered and threatened marine species are listed under Maine’s Marine Endangered Species Act or the federal ESA, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) has responsibility for these species. Marine animals such as whales and sea turtles are therefore managed through a separate legal channel from inland wildlife.

There are currently 26 inland fish and wildlife species listed as Endangered and 31 listed as Threatened under Maine’s Endangered Species Act, some of which are also listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

You can explore how these dual-listing systems affect wildlife in other states, including a detailed look at endangered animals in West Virginia, where both state and federal protections also apply to a range of species.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in Maine

Maine’s endangered species can be mostly found in the southern counties, coast, Baxter State Park, and western foothills. They include a number of bird species, turtles, bats, insects, a snake, a rabbit, and even a snail. The range of species is wide, and many are highly specialized to habitats that are shrinking due to development and climate change.

Here are some of the most notable endangered and threatened animals currently found in Maine:

Golden Eagle — Maine’s golden eagle is an endangered species in the state. It is of concern throughout its range due to its small population size, vulnerability to human-related threats, and considerable gaps in knowledge about habitat use and movement.

Saltmarsh Sparrow — The Saltmarsh Sparrow breeds in coastal saltmarshes of south-central Maine where nests are vulnerable to flooding during high tides associated with sea level rise. It is listed as Endangered under Maine’s state law.

Little Brown Bat — Little brown bats are endangered because of a fungus called White Nose Syndrome. It damages their wings and disrupts the pH balance in their bodies, causing them to use more energy when they hibernate. If they use up too much energy during hibernation, they can die.

Katahdin Arctic Butterfly — The Katahdin Arctic is a butterfly that is about 1.5 inches long. It is found in Baxter State Park and nowhere else in the world, living only in the alpine tundra at the summit of Mt. Katahdin. This habitat is extremely limited and some of the plants the butterfly needs to survive are being destroyed. The larvae must hibernate in winter, making them more vulnerable, and eggs can even be crushed by hikers.

Ashton’s Cuckoo Bumble Bee — The Ashton’s Cuckoo Bumble Bee was thought to be extirpated from Maine following widespread bumble bee population declines in the early 2000s. However, a single population of the species was recently found during the Maine Bumble Bee Atlas in northern Aroostook County.

North Atlantic Right Whale — The Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is listed as endangered under Maine’s Marine Endangered Species Act. It is one of the world’s most critically endangered large mammals, with vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement posing the greatest threats.

Bicknell’s Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler — Both the Bicknell’s Thrush (Threatened) and Blackpoll Warbler (Threatened) occupy high-elevation spruce-fir forests of central and western Maine — habitats that are predicted to retract to higher elevations, or disappear altogether.

Bank Swallow and Cliff Swallow — The cliff swallow (threatened) and the bank swallow (threatened) are birds that eat flying insects. Over the past 50 years, their population has declined by more than 95 percent, due to a loss of habitat and declining insect populations.

Pro Tip: Maine’s endangered species span a wide variety of animal groups. If you’re interested in how wildlife populations and extinct animals compare globally, understanding which species have already been lost gives important context to current conservation efforts.

These are just a fraction of the species on the state’s protected list. According to MDIFW, there are varying factors behind why these species are struggling in Maine. Some of these issues include human activity, climate change, forever chemicals, illness, predation, and development.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in Maine

Maine law draws a clear line between what is permitted and what is prohibited when it comes to endangered and threatened species. You need to understand these restrictions regardless of whether an encounter is intentional or accidental.

Being on the endangered and threatened list affords extra protections under the Maine Endangered Species Act, which prohibits collection from the wild, take (killing), harassment (injury or significant disruption of natural behavior), and other harmful activities that might cause extirpation.

Under Maine law, there are two categories of prohibited conduct: negligent and intentional. The specific prohibitions include the following:

• You may not hunt, take, trap, or possess any endangered or threatened species within the state. You also may not possess, process, sell, offer for sale, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any endangered or threatened species or any part of one.
• Importing into the state or exporting out of the state any endangered or threatened species is prohibited and constitutes a Class D crime.
• Feeding, setting bait for, or harassing any endangered or threatened species is also prohibited. A law enforcement officer must issue a warning to a person who violates this provision for the first time. A person who violates this provision after having previously been given a warning commits a Class E crime.

Federal law adds another layer. According to the federal ESA, to “take” a species means to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” Harassment is further 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.”

This means that even unintentional actions — such as disturbing a nesting site or approaching a protected animal too closely — can constitute a legal violation if they disrupt normal behavior.

Common Mistake: Many people assume that simply not touching or killing an animal is enough. Under both MESA and the federal ESA, harassment and significant behavioral disruption are also prohibited — even if no physical contact occurs. Keep your distance and never feed or bait protected wildlife. You can also learn about venomous animals in Maine to understand which species require caution for both legal and safety reasons.

Endangered Species on Private Land in Maine

One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of endangered species law is that it does not stop at the property line. If a protected animal lives on, nests on, or regularly uses your private land, both state and federal protections still apply to it.

Under MESA, prohibited activities include taking (capturing, killing, or collecting) any endangered or threatened species, including their eggs or offspring; possessing, selling, or transporting any such species or their parts; and significantly modifying or degrading the habitat of an endangered or threatened species in a way that impairs essential behavioral patterns such as breeding, feeding, or sheltering.

In addition to taking a species, delivering, receiving, selling, purchasing, or transporting a threatened or endangered animal species is prohibited without a permit, whether the species is alive or dead. Permits are also required for individual or group activities that involve interfering with a species’ habitat. Individuals engaging in activities that might result in the taking of a protected species must abide by a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), which includes information on how to mitigate or minimize any impacts to the species or its habitat.

If you are a landowner and you discover that a protected species is present on your property, you are not without options. MDIFW offers landowner consulting — if endangered species are living on your land, they can teach you how to help them thrive. Reaching out proactively to MDIFW is always the recommended first step before undertaking any land-clearing, construction, or habitat modification.

Important Note: MESA does not prohibit all development in areas where listed species are present. In fact, MESA allows for development that minimizes impacts to listed species and their habitats. Working with MDIFW early in your planning process can help you find a lawful path forward.

Regional offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issue incidental take permits. An incidental take permit is required if an activity may result in the taking of a threatened or endangered species. Those who apply for this permit must submit a habitat conservation plan to the proper federal or state authority ensuring that the effects of taking the species will be minimized and mitigated.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in Maine

Reporting a sighting of an endangered or threatened animal is one of the most direct ways you can contribute to conservation in Maine. MDIFW and its partners rely on community scientists and the general public to help track populations, identify new habitat use areas, and monitor species recovery.

Conservation approaches used by MDIFW include monitoring — directly and through community science projects like the Maine Bumblebee Atlas — as well as research into limiting factors and threats, such as how new roads impact turtle mortality. Your sighting data can feed directly into these efforts.

Here’s how to report an endangered animal sighting in Maine:

1. Contact MDIFW directly. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is the primary agency for inland species. You can reach them through their official website at maine.gov/ifw or by calling their regional offices.
2. Use iNaturalist or similar platforms. Community science platforms like iNaturalist allow you to log wildlife observations with photos and GPS data. MDIFW actively uses data from these platforms.
3. Report marine species to MDMR. Endangered and threatened marine species are listed under Maine’s Marine Endangered Species Act, and the Maine Department of Marine Resources has responsibility for these species. Whale or sea turtle sightings should be directed to MDMR or the NOAA fisheries hotline.
4. Note key details. When reporting, record the date, time, exact location (GPS coordinates if possible), the animal’s behavior, and whether any disturbance occurred. Photos or video are extremely helpful.
5. Do not approach or disturb the animal. Observing from a safe distance protects both you and the animal from potential legal issues and harm.

Pro Tip: Conserving endangered and threatened species is an effort that extends from the MDIFW wildlife division throughout the entire Department and beyond — involving conservation partners, complementary government agencies, local businesses, and generous citizens. Every sighting report you submit contributes to that broader network.

If you believe you have witnessed a violation — such as someone harming, trapping, or harassing a protected animal — you should report it to MDIFW’s Maine Warden Service immediately. You can also call the MDIFW tip line to report wildlife law violations anonymously.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in Maine

Maine takes violations of its endangered species laws seriously, and the penalties reflect that. Both state and federal consequences can apply depending on which law governs the species involved — and in some cases, both apply simultaneously.

State Penalties Under MESA

Maine revised its endangered species law in 2019. Under MESA, “take” means the act or omission that results in the death of any endangered or threatened species. There are two types of offenses based on whether the conduct is negligent or intentional.

• Negligent acts concerning an endangered species result in a Class E crime with a fine of $1,000, which may not be suspended.
• Intentional acts concerning an endangered species result in a Class D crime with a fine of $2,000, which may not be suspended.

Beyond fines, prohibited acts under MESA include taking, possessing, or selling endangered or threatened species, as well as damaging their critical habitats. Penalties for violating MESA may include fines, imprisonment, and the revocation of permits or licenses.

Violating MESA can result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment. In addition, any person who violates MESA may be held liable for the costs of any necessary enforcement actions taken by MDIFW.

Federal Penalties Under the ESA

Federal penalties are significantly higher. Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. Any individual that knowingly takes a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 by the federal government for each violation or instance.

It’s also worth noting that state governments may apply further restrictions on the taking of an endangered or threatened species beyond the federal baseline. Maine does exactly that — MESA’s protections in some respects go further than the federal ESA, particularly in how harassment and baiting are treated.

Important Note: Federal and state charges can be filed simultaneously for the same incident. If you harm a species that is listed under both MESA and the ESA, you could face both state criminal charges and federal prosecution — each with their own separate penalties.

Understanding the legal framework around endangered animals is just one part of being a responsible wildlife observer. You may also find it valuable to learn about stray animals and how different categories of wildlife are managed under state law, or to explore broader topics like animals native to Australia to see how conservation challenges play out globally. For more context on species loss, a look at extinct animals underscores just how permanent the consequences of inaction can be.

Conclusion

Maine’s endangered and threatened species are protected by a layered system of state and federal law — one that covers everything from how animals are listed to what penalties apply when those protections are violated. With 57 species currently on the threatened and endangered list in Maine, the scope of these protections is broad and touches nearly every corner of the state’s landscape, from coastal saltmarshes to alpine summits.

Whether you’re a hiker in Baxter State Park, a landowner managing wooded acreage, or simply someone who spends time outdoors, you share responsibility for Maine’s most vulnerable wildlife. Knowing the rules — what you can do, what you can’t, and who to call — puts you in a position to protect these animals rather than inadvertently harm them.

If you want to deepen your understanding of wildlife conservation across state lines, explore our guides on endangered animals in Virginia and endangered animals in West Virginia for comparison. You can also browse topics like the biggest animals in the world and the most colorful animals to continue exploring the remarkable diversity of wildlife that conservation efforts are working to preserve.