Endangered Animals in New Jersey: What the Law Says and Why It Matters

New Jersey may be the most densely populated state in the country, but it is also home to a surprising diversity of wildlife — including more than 80 animal species currently facing the threat of extinction. New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the country, is home to more than 700 endangered species, and one of the biggest threats to their survival is loss of quality habitat. Whether you live here, own land, or simply visit the Garden State’s forests, coastlines, and wetlands, understanding which animals are protected — and what the law requires of you — is not optional. Ignorance of these rules can lead to serious legal consequences, even when harm is unintentional.

From the bog turtle hiding in upland meadows to the northern right whale passing through offshore waters, endangered animals in New Jersey exist closer to everyday life than most people realize. This guide walks you through how species get listed, which animals are most at risk, what you are and are not allowed to do, and how to stay on the right side of both state and federal law.

Key Insight: New Jersey listed its first endangered species protections two weeks before the federal Endangered Species Act was signed — making it one of the earliest states to act on wildlife conservation.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in New Jersey

The NJ Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1973 (NJSA 23:2A-1 to 23:2A-1:16) was a landmark piece of legislation that established laws to protect and restore endangered and threatened wildlife in the Garden State. The Act was signed into law on December 14, 1973 — two weeks before President Nixon signed the federal Endangered Species Act.

As a result of the legislation, NJ Fish and Wildlife established the Endangered and Nongame Species Program to carry out the work necessary to restore and maintain these species. The New Jersey law is designed to protect species whose survival in the state is imperiled by loss of habitat, over-exploitation, pollution, and other impacts.

At the state level, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is responsible for maintaining and periodically updating the official list of endangered and threatened wildlife. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife maintains a state-specific list of endangered and threatened species, including federally listed species.

Before a species reaches that list, it goes through a formal review process. Before a species is added to the federal threatened and endangered list, it is first placed on a list of candidate species. The public may petition to list a species, or biologists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may study a species whose population is thought to be declining and decide themselves whether the species qualifies as a candidate.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service applies five criteria to label a species as endangered or threatened: if one or more of these criteria are met, the agency can begin action to protect the species and its habitat. These criteria typically include habitat destruction, overutilization, disease, predation, and the inadequacy of existing protections. You can also learn about animals that have already gone extinct to understand what happens when protections fail.

Important Note: New Jersey’s state list and the federal list are separate. A species can be state-listed without being federally listed, and vice versa. Both sets of rules apply independently.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in New Jersey

When you encounter the phrase “endangered animal” in New Jersey, it can refer to two distinct legal classifications — and knowing the difference matters. Endangered species policy in New Jersey involves the identification and protection of endangered and threatened animal and plant species, with policies implemented and enforced by both the state and federal governments.

The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 provides for the identification, listing, and protection of both threatened and endangered species and their habitats. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the law was designed to prevent the extinction of vulnerable plant and animal species through the development of recovery plans and the protection of critical habitats.

New Jersey’s own Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act operates in parallel. New Jersey wildlife officials have added 28 animal species to the state’s endangered list, which now includes ten birds, two reptiles, three amphibians, two butterflies, six dragonflies, and five species of freshwater mussels. This change, effective from January 6, 2025, reclassifies these animals from “threatened” to “endangered” due to their increased risk of extinction in the state.

The key distinction is jurisdiction and enforcement. Federally listed species are protected under the ESA across the entire country, while state-listed species receive protection specifically within New Jersey’s borders. In practice, many species appear on both lists — but not all do. New Jersey has listed 88 animal species as endangered or threatened, and another 180 as species of concern.

Some species have actually recovered enough to be removed from the list. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has removed four animals from the endangered list, including the bald eagle and the osprey, whose populations have recovered significantly. The bald eagle’s status changed from endangered to special concern, while the osprey is now considered stable.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in New Jersey

New Jersey’s geographic diversity — from the Pine Barrens and coastal wetlands to the Delaware River valley and offshore Atlantic waters — supports a wide range of species, many of which are now imperiled. There are more than 52 endangered animal species in New Jersey and 32 considered threatened, according to the NJ DEP’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program.

Here is a look at some of the most notable animals currently protected under state or federal law in New Jersey.

Birds

Among birds, bald eagles and peregrine falcons are some immediately recognizable raptors listed as either endangered or threatened in the Garden State. Some shorebirds such as red knots and piping plovers are also recognizable to residents. Other endangered birds include the salt marsh sparrow, golden-winged warbler, osprey, and the black rail.

The piping plover has a particularly documented history in the state. Piping plovers breed only in North America in three geographic regions: the Atlantic Coast, the Northern Great Plains, and the Great Lakes. These small shorebirds make their way to barrier islands and beaches in New Jersey each year for their breeding season. Starting in April, the female will lay between three to four eggs, which both parents will incubate for about 27 days.

Reptiles and Amphibians

There are many reptile species on the state’s endangered or threatened list. One is the bog turtle, which also happens to be the New Jersey state turtle. Others include the northern pine snake, timber rattlesnake, wood turtle, the Pine Barrens tree frog, Eastern Tiger salamander, and the long-tailed salamander.

The southern gray treefrog has a long history on the state list. In 1979, the southern gray treefrog was listed as an endangered species in New Jersey. Development of forests, illegal filling of vernal ponds, and destruction of wetlands all play major roles in reducing this frog’s habitat. Although current regulations protect wetlands, many of the upland forest habitats also required by the southern gray treefrog remain vulnerable.

Pro Tip: If you spot a bog turtle or timber rattlesnake on your property, do not attempt to relocate or handle it. Contact the NJ DEP’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program immediately for guidance.

Marine Species and Mammals

In New Jersey, many whale species are considered endangered or threatened, including the northern right whale and the humpback whale. A couple of terrestrial state species on the list are the Indiana Bat and the bobcat.

Fish and Invertebrates

There are not many fish on the endangered and threatened lists in New Jersey. A few include the Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. Several invertebrates include all of the native freshwater mussels, of which 9 out of 12 native to New Jersey have an endangered or threatened status. There are several butterflies, dragonflies, and beetles listed as well: Mitchell’s satyr, Bronze copper, and the superb jewelwing.

You might also be interested in learning about dangerous animals in New Jersey — some of which overlap with protected species.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in New Jersey

New Jersey law is explicit about prohibited conduct involving endangered and threatened species. It is the policy of the state to manage all forms of wildlife to ensure their continued participation in the ecosystem, and species or subspecies of wildlife indigenous to the state which may be found to be endangered should be accorded special protection in order to maintain and, to the extent possible, enhance their numbers.

Under both state and federal law, the following actions are broadly prohibited when it comes to listed species:

• Taking — Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. This includes harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.
• Possessing — You cannot possess, transport, import, export, or ship any listed animal or its parts.
• Selling or trading — Buying, selling, or offering for sale any part or product of a protected species is prohibited.
• Habitat destruction — Destroying or degrading critical habitat in ways that harm listed species is also considered a violation under federal law.

The Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act (ENSCA) ensures that all wildlife on the state’s endangered list are protected from activities that could harm them.

New Jersey also goes further than many states in restricting trade in wildlife products. In 2014, provisions were added for the prohibition on import, sale, or purchase of ivory products. In 2018, a law was added that prohibits a person from using a wild or exotic animal in a traveling animal act.

There are also specific restrictions on what can be transported through the state. No person shall possess, transport, import, export, process, sell or offer for sale, or ship any species or subspecies of elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, pangolin, marine turtle, or ray listed in Appendix I or Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Common Mistake: Many people assume that accidentally disturbing a nest or den is not a legal issue. Under both state and federal law, habitat disturbance that harms a listed species — even unintentionally — can constitute a violation.

To better understand the range of animals you may encounter in the state and their behaviors, see this guide on animals that eat snakes — several of which are themselves protected in New Jersey.

Endangered Species on Private Land in New Jersey

One of the most misunderstood aspects of endangered species law is that it applies to private property. Owning land does not exempt you from the legal obligation to protect species living on it. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nearly half of all federally protected threatened and endangered species have at least 80 percent of their habitats on private land. This means that private landowners — which include private citizens, businesses, and organizations — must cooperate with federal agencies to conserve listed species.

If your property contains habitat for a listed species, development or land-use changes may trigger legal review. Development of endangered or threatened wildlife or plant species habitat is prohibited unless it can be demonstrated, through an endangered or threatened wildlife or plant species impact assessment, that endangered or threatened species would not be adversely affected.

If you are a private landowner whose project could result in incidental take of a federally listed species, you may need a permit. Private parties may be required to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service to develop Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs). These plans are required in order to obtain incidental take permits. Habitat Conservation Plans contain information on the predicted effects of taking a species, how these effects will be minimized or mitigated, and how the plan will be funded.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s New Jersey Field Office can help you navigate these requirements. The NJFO provides review of non-Federal actions that may affect federally listed species or their habitats as technical assistance under the Endangered Species Act. Technical assistance helps avoid or minimize adverse effects to listed species, avoid unintentional violations of ESA Section 9, and determine if a Section 10 permit and a Habitat Conservation Plan are needed.

For landowners who want to voluntarily support wildlife, the New Jersey Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is meant to be a voluntary guide to focus conservation actions on the wildlife and plants that are in greatest need of attention — and anyone can take action to improve habitats, whether that is a backyard, local park, or larger public and private lands.

Understanding the variety of wildlife that may use your land is also helpful. You may want to read about animals native to different ecosystems for comparative context, or explore how animals with unique biological traits fit into larger food web dynamics that affect native species.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in New Jersey

Reporting what you see in the field is one of the most direct contributions you can make to wildlife conservation in New Jersey. Wildlife managers rely on public observations to track population trends, identify critical habitats, and respond to threats.

The NJ DEP recently launched the NJ Wildlife Tracker, a web application you can use from your cell phone or computer to report rare wildlife species observations and wildlife of any kind on roadways. Sightings of both common and rare species reported by residents will be used to enhance Fish and Wildlife’s critical habitat mapping, and this data will ultimately assist in the recovery of endangered and threatened species across the state.

Roadway sightings are especially valuable. Your sightings of wildlife on roads — dead or alive — will help the Connecting Habitat Across New Jersey (CHANJ) team identify problem spots across the state, like places with frequent roadkill or at-risk species being impacted by roads.

For marine species, there is a separate dedicated tool. The Marine Protected Wildlife Reporter application allows the public to report sightings of, and encounters with, federally listed endangered or threatened marine species, including marine mammals, sea turtles, Atlantic sturgeon, as well as prohibited shark species in the waters off New Jersey.

Here is a quick reference for reporting different types of sightings:

• Rare terrestrial wildlife sightings: Use the NJ Wildlife Tracker at dep.nj.gov
• Endangered or threatened birds found dead: Report to the DEP Hotline at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).
• Bat sightings: Report bat sightings to ENSPTrentonVoicemail@dep.nj.gov.
• Marine species encounters: Use the Marine Protected Wildlife Reporter app.
• General DEP concerns: Contact the DEP Action Line at 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).

Pro Tip: When logging a sighting, note the exact location (GPS coordinates if possible), the date and time, the behavior of the animal, and whether it appeared healthy or injured. The more detail you provide, the more useful your report will be.

You may also want to compare New Jersey’s approach with how other states handle wildlife protection. See how endangered animals in Virginia or endangered animals in West Virginia are managed for regional context, or explore endangered animals in Washington for a look at Pacific Coast conservation efforts.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in New Jersey

The legal consequences for violating endangered species protections in New Jersey are serious — and they stack. You may face civil penalties, criminal charges, and federal fines simultaneously depending on the nature of the violation.

State-Level Penalties

Under the statute, violation of the Act incurs a civil penalty of $250 to $5,000. However, penalties escalate significantly for ongoing or egregious violations. A person who fails to comply with a court order, fails to pay a civil administrative penalty, or knowingly makes any false or misleading statement on any required document shall be subject, upon order of a court, to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each day during which the violation continues.

A person who violates the priority species provisions shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree. Beyond fines, courts can also require restoration. Assessments shall be paid to the “Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund,” and courts can issue an order requiring the violator to restore the site of the violation to the maximum extent practicable and feasible.

In cases of false reporting or document fraud, the penalties are even more severe. A person who purposely, knowingly, or recklessly makes a false statement in any application, record, or other document filed under the Act shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a crime of the third degree and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $50,000 per day of violation, or by imprisonment, or both.

Federal-Level Penalties

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.

Additional Consequences

In addition to any administrative penalty, and notwithstanding the $25,000 maximum penalty set forth above, the commissioner may assess any economic benefits from the violation gained by the violator. This means that if you profited from an illegal activity involving a protected species — say, selling a protected animal or its parts — those gains can be recovered on top of all other fines.

Important Note: All penalties collected under New Jersey’s endangered species statutes are deposited into the Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund, which directly funds future conservation work in the state.

New Jersey takes these violations seriously, and the law is designed to deter both accidental and intentional harm. If you are unsure whether a planned activity on your property could affect a listed species, contact the NJ DEP or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before proceeding — not after. You can also broaden your understanding of animal diversity and behavior by exploring related topics like the most colorful animals, the biggest animals in the world, or animals with big eyes — many of which include species that face conservation challenges worldwide.

The protections in place for endangered animals in New Jersey exist because the state recognized early — back in 1973 — that healthy ecosystems depend on every species playing its role. Although species become extinct naturally, there is concern when human activities increase the rate of extinction. Since humans share the environment with animals and plants, our survival depends on maintaining a balanced ecosystem. When this balance is undermined, the effects on plants and animals may ultimately impact the support systems humans need. Knowing the law is the first step toward being part of the solution rather than part of the problem.