The first Asian and South American national parks were created during the early 1900's. The IUCN then started to gather information on the world's endangered species. It publishes this data in its Red Data Book. This fund raises money for conservation. Wildlife conse rvation today More than 37,000 protected areas exist worldwide.
Most countries also have laws that protect wildlife.
The U.S. National Park System has about 200 protected areas with significant wildlife habitats. The U.S. National Wildlife Refuge System includes more than 500 refuges. State and federal laws also protect wildlife in the United States. For example, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects rare wildlife from being hunted, collected, or otherwise threatened. Among other things, the act prohibits federal projects, such as the construction of dams, that would destroy an area where an endangered species lives.