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

South Dakota sits at a rare ecological crossroads — a place where eastern and western species meet, where grasslands roll into river corridors, and where some of North America’s most imperiled wildlife still cling to survival. But sharing a landscape with endangered animals comes with real legal responsibilities, whether you’re a landowner, a hiker, a hunter, or simply a curious resident.

Understanding which animals are protected, what you’re legally allowed to do around them, and how to report a sighting can keep you on the right side of both state and federal law. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about endangered animals in South Dakota.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in South Dakota

Endangered species protection in South Dakota operates through two parallel systems: the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the state’s own listing process. Endangered species policy in South Dakota involves the identification and protection of endangered and threatened animal and plant species, with policies implemented and enforced by both state and federal governments.

At the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages the ESA listing process. Before a species is added to the federal threatened and endangered list, it is first placed on a list of candidate species. This placement happens in two ways: 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 law stipulates that FWS scientists must use accurate scientific information collected from several sources to back their candidate decisions.

At the state level, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) manages its own list. Status reviews are drafted by the Wildlife Diversity Program staff for all state threatened or endangered species to summarize what is known about the species in the state, identify delisting or downlisting goals if current knowledge allows, and list monitoring and research needs. These reviews are revisited every two years.

Key Insight: Two separate layers of protection exist in South Dakota — federal and state. A species can be state-listed without being federally listed, and vice versa. Always check both lists before conducting activities that could affect wildlife.

An endangered species is a species in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range (applied rangewide for federal status and statewide for state status). A threatened species is a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

If you plan to conduct any research, sampling, or collection activities involving listed species, you must obtain authorization first. If you plan to sample or collect any species listed as a state threatened or endangered species, you must request a state endangered species authorization.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in South Dakota

Knowing whether a species is federally listed, state-listed, or both is critical because the rules — and the penalties — differ depending on which designation applies.

Federal threatened species are those likely to become an endangered species throughout all or a significant part of their range, while federal endangered species are those in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant part of their range. State threatened species are any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range, while state endangered species are any species of wildlife or plants which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant part of their range.

As of April 2016, South Dakota listed 16 endangered and threatened species that did not appear on the federal list. This means many animals receive protection only under South Dakota law — and those protections are just as legally binding within the state.

Important Note: Federal candidate species are not yet legally protected under the ESA, but candidate species are animal and plant species for which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has sufficient information to propose them as endangered or threatened, but for which a proposed listing has not been processed because of higher priority listings. Monitoring these species closely is still strongly encouraged.

The South Dakota Natural Heritage Program plays a central role in tracking all of these categories. The South Dakota Natural Heritage Program collects and manages detailed information on plants, animals, and ecosystems and develops information, data management tools, and conservation services to help meet species and habitat conservation needs. You can also explore endangered animals in Washington and endangered animals in Virginia to compare how neighboring and regional states approach species protection differently.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in South Dakota

South Dakota is home to a striking range of imperiled wildlife — from prairie predators to river fish to migratory birds. South Dakota is one of the states where eastern and western species meet and overlap, making it a critical zone for biodiversity — and conservation.

Here is a look at some of the most notable federally listed species found in the state:

Listed species found in South Dakota include the Black-footed Ferret (Mustela nigripes) — Endangered, Experimental; the Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) — Endangered; and the Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) — Endangered.

The black-footed ferret deserves special mention. Black-footed ferrets live on prairie dog towns, making the health of prairie dog colonies directly tied to ferret survival. This is one of the most endangered mammals in North America, and South Dakota has been part of active reintroduction efforts.

In the water, the pallid sturgeon faces serious threats. The shovelnose sturgeon has been listed as threatened due to its similarity of appearance to the endangered pallid sturgeon, and this rule extends take prohibitions to shovelnose sturgeon, shovelnose-pallid sturgeon hybrids, and their roe when associated with commercial fishing activities in areas where both species coexist.

Pro Tip: The northern long-eared bat faces a particularly urgent threat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed reclassifying the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act because the bat faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats.

Many birds migrate along the Missouri River, and the prairie grasslands are important to upland birds such as prairie chickens and sharp-tailed grouse, pollinators such as monarchs and regal fritillaries, and other species. If you’re curious about how South Dakota’s situation compares to a neighboring state, see this overview of endangered animals in West Virginia for a different regional perspective. You might also want to explore our guide on extinct animals to understand what’s ultimately at stake when conservation efforts fail.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in South Dakota

Both state and federal law place strict prohibitions on how you interact with — or even inadvertently affect — endangered species. Understanding these rules is not optional; violations can result in serious criminal consequences.

Under South Dakota state law, the prohibited actions are broad and clearly defined. It is a misdemeanor to take, possess, transport, import, export, process, sell or offer for sale, buy or offer to buy — nor may a common or contract carrier transport or receive for shipment — a listed species as defined by statute.

At the federal level, the ESA’s “take” definition is deliberately wide-ranging. Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. This means that even indirect harm — such as destroying habitat that a listed species depends on — can constitute a “take” under federal law.

• Hunting or killing a listed species, even accidentally during legal hunting activities
• Capturing or trapping a listed animal without a permit
• Harassing or disturbing listed wildlife in ways that disrupt normal behavior
• Destroying habitat on which listed species depend, particularly nesting or denning areas
• Buying, selling, or trading any listed animal or parts thereof
• Transporting listed species across state lines or internationally without proper documentation

Important Note: There is one narrow exception under state law. Carnivorous animals found on the state list may be removed, captured, or destroyed by any person in emergency situations involving an immediate threat to human life, provided that the removal, capture, or destruction shall be reported to the secretary or his representative within twenty-four hours of the act. This is a last-resort provision — not a general exemption.

One area of confusion for many residents involves the shovelnose sturgeon. If you fish South Dakota’s rivers, be aware that take prohibitions extend to shovelnose sturgeon, shovelnose-pallid sturgeon hybrids, and their roe when associated with commercial fishing activity in areas where pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon commonly coexist. Even if you’re targeting a non-listed species, you may still be held liable if a protected animal is affected. You can learn more about listed species in South Dakota directly from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For context on other wildlife risks in the state, see our guide on venomous animals in South Dakota.

Endangered Species on Private Land in South Dakota

One of the most common misconceptions about endangered species law is that it only applies on public land. In reality, owning private property does not exempt you from federal or state protections — and the scale of the issue in South Dakota is significant.

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 makes private landowners critical partners — and legal stakeholders — in conservation.

This means that private landowners, which include private citizens, businesses, and organizations, must cooperate with federal agencies to conserve listed species. If a listed species is found on your property, you cannot simply remove it or alter its habitat without going through the proper legal channels.

There are several formal mechanisms through which you may need — or choose — to engage with wildlife agencies:

1. Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs): HCPs are implemented by non-federal groups — including state governments, private individuals, and organizations — in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. The plans are required in order to obtain incidental take permits and 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.
2. Candidate Conservation Agreements: 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.
3. Incidental Take Permits: 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 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.

Pro Tip: 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. The plans can be applied to listed species, candidate species, species proposed for listing, and non-listed species — usually for the purpose of preventing future listing. Engaging proactively with the FWS can actually protect your land-use rights long-term.

There is also a specific provision under South Dakota state law regarding prairie dogs — a species closely tied to the black-footed ferret’s survival. The secretary of agriculture and the secretary of game, fish and parks shall establish programs, with legislative approval, and may enter into cooperative agreements with federal and state agencies or with private persons as deemed necessary for the management of nongame, endangered, or threatened species. The secretaries shall establish and conduct control programs at state expense on private lands that are encroached upon by prairie dogs from contiguous public lands.

You can use the USFWS South Dakota Ecological Services Field Office online project review tool to determine whether listed species may be present in your project area before you begin any land-use activities. This step is strongly recommended for any landowner planning construction, agricultural changes, or habitat modifications.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in South Dakota

If you spot what you believe is an endangered or threatened animal in South Dakota, reporting that sighting is one of the most valuable contributions you can make to wildlife conservation. Data gathered from public sightings helps biologists track populations, identify new habitats, and prioritize recovery efforts.

Here’s how you can report a sighting effectively:

1. Contact South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP): The GFP Wildlife Diversity Program is the primary state agency for tracking rare and listed species. You can reach them through the GFP threatened and endangered species page. Provide as much detail as possible — species, location (GPS coordinates if available), date, time, number of individuals, and behavior observed.
2. Contact the USFWS South Dakota Field Office: For federally listed species, you can submit sighting information directly to the South Dakota Ecological Services Field Office. In an effort to ensure continuity of operations, the South Dakota Ecological Services Field Office asks that all project review requests and general correspondence be submitted in electronic format. All project requests located within the South Dakota Office area of responsibility should be sent to southdakotafieldoffice@fws.gov. This email is also an appropriate channel for significant wildlife sighting reports.
3. Use the South Dakota Natural Heritage Program: The South Dakota Natural Heritage Program collects and manages detailed information on plants, animals, and ecosystems and develops information, data management tools, and conservation services to help meet species and habitat conservation needs. Sighting reports submitted to GFP are often funneled into this database.
4. Document your sighting carefully: Take photographs or video if it is safe and legal to do so — without disturbing the animal. Note the exact location, habitat type, weather conditions, and any identifying features of the animal.

Important Note: Never approach, handle, or attempt to “rescue” a wild endangered animal on your own. Even well-intentioned interference can cause harm to the animal and may expose you to legal liability. Always contact trained wildlife professionals.

Citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist are also valuable tools — your documented observations become part of a global biodiversity database that researchers and agencies actively use. If you’re interested in how wildlife monitoring compares across the region, the guide on venomous animals in North Dakota offers useful context on what wildlife management looks like in a neighboring state.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in South Dakota

The consequences for violating endangered species laws in South Dakota can be severe — ranging from criminal misdemeanors at the state level to five-figure federal fines. Ignorance of the law is not a legal defense, so understanding the penalty structure is essential.

Federal Penalties (ESA):

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. Civil penalties for non-knowing violations can also reach $12,000 per violation, and criminal convictions can result in imprisonment.

State Penalties (South Dakota):

It is a misdemeanor to take, possess, transport, import, export, process, sell or offer for sale, buy or offer to buy — nor may a common or contract carrier transport or receive for shipment — a listed species as defined by statute. More specifically, it is a Class 2 misdemeanor to transport, possess, sell, or purchase a species of wildlife appearing on the lists in violation of the conditions of a permit, or to transport, possess, sell, or purchase any part thereof in violation of the provisions of this section.

There is also a specific permit exception worth knowing. Upon good cause shown and where necessary to alleviate damage to property or to protect human health, endangered or threatened species found on the state list may be removed, captured, or destroyed pursuant to a permit issued by the secretary of game, fish and parks. A violation of the terms of that permit is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Common Mistake: Many people assume that buying or selling parts of a listed animal — such as feathers, bones, or pelts — is legal if the animal was not killed directly. Under both state and federal law, possessing, processing, selling, or buying a listed species in any form is prohibited without proper permits and documentation.

One narrow exception exists for legally acquired specimens from other states or countries. A person may transport into South Dakota or otherwise possess, sell, or purchase within the state any animal or parts thereof appearing on the protected lists that were lawfully taken or acquired in another state or lawfully taken or acquired from a point outside the territorial limits of the United States, if the items are accompanied by the appropriate license, documentation, CITES permit, or CITES tag.

If you’re a landowner, hunter, farmer, or outdoor enthusiast in South Dakota, the safest course of action is always to verify the status of any wildlife you encounter before taking any action. When in doubt, contact the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. You can also browse our related guides on fastest animals and biggest animals in the world to deepen your understanding of the remarkable diversity of life that conservation efforts work to protect — including the species still holding on in South Dakota’s prairies, rivers, and skies.