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

Pennsylvania is home to more than 480 species of wild birds and mammals alone — yet dozens of them are quietly disappearing. There are 71 animals in the state at risk enough to be labeled endangered, spanning fish, reptiles, bats, birds, and invertebrates that most residents have never heard of, let alone seen.

Whether you own land along a creek, hike state forests on weekends, or simply want to know your legal obligations, understanding endangered animals in Pennsylvania matters. The rules here carry real consequences — for wildlife and for you. This guide walks you through how species are listed and protected, which animals are at greatest risk, and exactly what you can and cannot do when you encounter one.

Key Insight: Pennsylvania operates two separate endangered species systems — one federal, one state — and both can apply to the same animal at the same time.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s approach to endangered species protection runs on two parallel tracks: federal law and state law. Each has its own listing process, its own agencies, and its own set of rules you need to know.

At the federal level, the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 provides for the identification, listing, and protection of both threatened and endangered species and their habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages this process for land-based and freshwater species found in Pennsylvania.

At the state level, multiple agencies share responsibility. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is responsible for protecting fish, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic invertebrates. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) oversees birds and mammals, while the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) manages plant species.

Threatened and endangered species are plants and wildlife with a current legal status of Pennsylvania Threatened or Endangered. Endangered species are in danger of extinction throughout most of their natural range within Pennsylvania. Threatened species may become endangered throughout most or all of their natural range within Pennsylvania if critical habitat is not maintained to prevent their future decline.

The listing process itself involves scientific review. PNHP biologists and the Pennsylvania Biological Survey use inventory data to recommend a state rank and status for species that reflects how common or rare it is in Pennsylvania. Agencies rely upon this expertise and the NatureServe status ranking process to help determine the status for each species.

The executive director shall establish a Pennsylvania Threatened Species List and a Pennsylvania Endangered Species List. The lists, and any revisions thereto, shall be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Pro Tip: You can screen any property for potential impacts to threatened or endangered species using the Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer at naturalheritage.state.pa.us — a free tool that’s especially useful before any land development project.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in Pennsylvania

One of the most important distinctions to understand is that a species can be endangered at the state level without being federally listed — and vice versa. These two systems offer different levels of protection and are enforced by different agencies.

In Pennsylvania, the state list includes animals that aren’t officially recognized by the federal Endangered Species Act, though some of the endangered species in Pennsylvania are endangered nationwide, too.

In Pennsylvania, there are both federal and state laws that prohibit “take,” otherwise defined as the killing, harm, harassment, and other similar effects on T&E species. This means that if an animal carries both a federal and state listing, you are bound by both sets of rules simultaneously.

In Pennsylvania, 29 fish, five reptile, five amphibian, and ten freshwater mussel species are currently listed as state endangered. Nine species are classified as threatened, and another four are candidates to reach endangered or threatened status.

For birds and mammals, the Pennsylvania Game Commission recognizes approximately 480 birds and mammals. About 5% of these are threatened or endangered, and 2% are considered species of concern.

You can find the full current list through the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program’s species database, which allows you to sort by federal and state conservation status. If you’re curious how Pennsylvania compares to neighboring states, see our coverage of endangered animals in Virginia and endangered animals in West Virginia.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s endangered animals span every habitat in the state — from mountain forests to river bottoms. Here are some of the most significant species you should know about.

Bats Under Pressure

Habitat loss and white-nose syndrome have contributed to the rapid and steep population decline in bats, including the little brown bat. PNHP zoologists and Pennsylvania Game Commission staff partnered to locate maternity roosts used by the state-endangered little brown bat at locations in Perry and Pike counties. The Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat are also on the endangered list, with all three species facing devastating losses from the fungal disease that has swept through cave-dwelling bat populations across the eastern U.S.

Important Note: If you discover a bat roost on your property — in an attic, barn, or old tree — do not disturb it during maternity season (typically May through August). Doing so could constitute a take under state and federal law.

The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

In Pennsylvania, only four of 19 historic populations of the federally threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake still exist. Population decline is due to habitat loss: woody vegetation is shading the snakes’ preferred open field habitats and encroaches on the meadows where they are found.

In Pennsylvania, the snake is endangered, with a rapid decline of the species due to habitat loss, including dam and road building, surface mining, and general urbanization. Of the 19 Pennsylvania populations of this snake historically, only four remain in two counties — Butler and Venango Counties. You can read more about venomous species in the state in our guide to venomous animals in Pennsylvania.

The Northern Flying Squirrel

The northern flying squirrel isn’t endangered in the rest of the world, but it’s endangered in Pennsylvania, with most of the population believed to be in the Pocono Mountains. The animal prefers old-growth forests, which are now limited in Pennsylvania.

Northern flying squirrels rely on specific fungi that are dependent on hemlock and spruce trees. However, this fungi is declining due to an invasive insect — the hemlock woolly adelgid. Development of forests has also contributed to the squirrel becoming endangered.

Freshwater Mussels

Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are home to some of the most imperiled freshwater mussels in the country. Pollution, dams, runoff, and invasive species all contribute to the sharp population decline of freshwater mussels, which quietly filter and clean our water supply. In fact, 80% of the freshwater mussel species in Pennsylvania are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Pennsylvania houses rare terrestrial species such as the wetland-dependent bog turtle and eastern massasauga rattlesnake as well as seven species of aquatic freshwater mussels found in the Allegheny and Delaware River watersheds.

Endangered Birds

Several bird species have reached critical levels in the state. The king rail is both endangered and protected in Pennsylvania. This bird gets its name from its large size and bright coloration. The decline in these birds is mainly due to losses of marshland habitat. They seem particularly vulnerable to collisions with fences, telephone lines, and automobiles.

The short-eared owl is another state-endangered bird. Unlike most owls, you may see them during the day. They are active at dusk, dawn, and even midday. You can find them hunting in large open fields of tall grass and strip mines.

Some of these species face threats that mirror those seen in animals already lost to extinction — habitat destruction, disease, and human encroachment acting together over decades.

The Shortnose Sturgeon

The shortnose sturgeon is the only fish endangered in Pennsylvania that is also endangered nationwide. It’s one of the clearest examples of how state and federal protections can overlap on the same animal.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in Pennsylvania

The legal definition of a prohibited “take” is broader than most people realize. You don’t have to kill an animal to break the law.

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.”

According to the act, 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.”

Under Pennsylvania’s own code, the catching, taking, killing, possessing, importing to or exporting from this Commonwealth, selling, offering for sale, or purchasing of any individual of these species, alive or dead, or any part thereof, without a special permit from the Executive Director is prohibited.

• Do not approach or disturb nesting sites — disrupting breeding behavior qualifies as harassment under the ESA
• Do not collect or possess any part of a listed animal — feathers, shells, bones, and eggs are all prohibited
• Do not trap or relocate — even moving an animal with good intentions requires a special permit
• Do not alter critical habitat — draining a wetland, filling a stream, or clearing habitat used by a listed species can trigger federal review
• Do not purchase or sell — buying or selling a protected animal, or any part of one, is a separate violation under both state and federal law

Common Mistake: Assuming that finding an injured endangered animal gives you the right to take it home. It does not. Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission or PFBC immediately and wait for guidance. Unauthorized possession — even with good intentions — is still a violation.

These prohibitions extend to all persons; however, regulations provide the ability to obtain permits allowing for take when incidental to an otherwise lawful action. If your work or land use legitimately requires interaction with a protected species, permits are available — but you must apply in advance.

Endangered Species on Private Land in Pennsylvania

One of the most common misconceptions is that endangered species laws only apply to public land. They do not. If a protected animal lives on, nests on, or passes through your property, you are still subject to both state and federal law.

According to a 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 landowners some of the most consequential players in endangered species conservation — whether they want that role or not.

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.

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.

What Private Landowners Can Do

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 individual’s taking of a listed species, how the effects will be minimized and/or mitigated, and how the plan will be financed.

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. Meanwhile, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service attempts to assure property owners that they will not face additional land restrictions beyond those outlined in their Habitat Conservation Plans.

Candidate Conservation Agreements are made by the Fish and Wildlife Service with non-federal property owners to provide incentives for conserving candidate species so that they are not listed as endangered or threatened. This is a proactive route worth exploring if you suspect your land supports at-risk species.

Pennsylvania also has a state-level review process for development projects. Through the PNDI review process, each agency or commission provides conservation or enhancement recommendations for the species or feature under their jurisdiction to landowners, developers, and planners. As part of the permitting process, the DEP requires permit applicants to screen their land use projects for potential impacts to threatened or endangered species using the Conservation Explorer.

Pro Tip: If you own land in Pennsylvania and want to actively support wildlife, consider contacting the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office — they partner with private landowners to restore fish and wildlife habitats.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in Pennsylvania

Spotting a rare or endangered animal is genuinely valuable — but only if that sighting gets reported to the right people. Your observation becomes scientific data that helps agencies track populations, adjust protections, and allocate conservation resources.

Here’s where to report based on what you’ve seen:

1. Birds and mammals — Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission. You can call your regional PGC office or submit a report through their website.
2. Fish, reptiles, amphibians, or freshwater mussels — Report to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). They maintain the official state endangered list for aquatic species.
3. Federally listed species — Contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Pennsylvania Ecological Services Field Office at 814-298-4396 or IR1_ESPenn@fws.gov.
4. Use iNaturalist — The citizen science platform iNaturalist allows you to document and share wildlife sightings with researchers and naturalists across the state.
5. Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer — The PNHP Conservation Explorer is also a useful resource for cross-referencing your location with known species ranges before making a report.

When you make a report, include as much detail as possible: the date, exact location (GPS coordinates if available), species description, number of individuals observed, and any photos or video. You can help researchers by keeping track of the wildlife you see in your area, especially if you think it might be an endangered animal.

Important Note: Do not approach, handle, or attempt to capture the animal before or after reporting. Observe from a safe distance and let professionals respond. Even well-meaning interference can cause harm and create legal liability.

If you witness someone harming or harassing an endangered animal, report it immediately to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s 24-hour tip line: 1-888-PGC-HUNT (1-888-742-4868). You can also report to the USFWS Pennsylvania Field Office for federal violations. You can learn more about wildlife behavior and ecosystems through resources like our overview of animals that eat snakes and animals native to other regions to better understand how biodiversity functions globally.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania and federal law both impose serious consequences for violations involving endangered species. These are not minor infractions — they can result in criminal charges, steep fines, and the forfeiture of equipment or property.

Federal Penalties Under the ESA

Under the Endangered Species Act, individuals who knowingly take a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 for each violation or instance. Individuals who otherwise unknowingly take a species can be fined up to $500 for each violation or instance.

Federal criminal penalties can also include imprisonment. Civil penalties, license revocations, and the seizure of any equipment used in the violation — vehicles, traps, gear — are all on the table.

State Penalties Under Pennsylvania Law

For fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates regulated by the PFBC, any person intentionally violating any rule or regulation promulgated under this section commits a misdemeanor of the third degree. Each fish caught, taken, killed, imported, transported, removed, introduced, possessed, sold, offered for sale, or purchased in violation of any rule or regulation shall constitute a separate offense.

This “each individual equals a separate offense” rule is significant. If you were found in possession of three state-endangered fish, that is three separate misdemeanor charges — not one.

It is the duty of every officer having authority to enforce this title to seize all endangered or threatened wild birds or wild animals, or any part thereof. Officers are required to confiscate any protected animals or parts found in your possession.

Common Mistake: Thinking that ignorance of a species’ protected status is a valid legal defense. Under the ESA, even unknowing takes carry fines. If you’re doing work near wetlands, forests, or waterways in Pennsylvania, check the Conservation Explorer first.

State governments may apply further restrictions on the taking of an endangered or threatened species beyond what federal law requires. In Pennsylvania, both levels apply, and you can be prosecuted under both simultaneously for the same act.

Pennsylvania’s endangered species laws exist because the state’s wildlife is genuinely at risk. Numerous wildlife species in Pennsylvania have declined due to habitat loss, disease, climate change, and other causes. They are considered a species of concern, threatened, or even endangered. Understanding the rules isn’t just about avoiding penalties — it’s about ensuring that the animals sharing this landscape with you still have a future. Whether you’re a landowner, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone who spotted something unusual in a field, your awareness and your actions make a real difference. Learn more about global biodiversity through our guides on the biggest animals in the world and the most colorful animals to appreciate just how much is worth protecting.